Dallas Mavericks’ Struggles Continue with 130-125 Loss to Philadelphia 76ers

The Dallas Mavericks needed some sense of normalcy after another season-ending injury depleted their depth.

P.J. Washington provided that familiar presence in his first game back from a right ankle sprain after missing the last seven contests.

Washington provided a significant impact on both ends of the floor, but the Mavericks’ plummet continued with a 130-125 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Game

Sunday’s matinee against the 76ers was initially slated as one of the NBA’s premier matchups of the season because of the star power exuding from both teams. Philadelphia, battered and bruised with injuries to Joel Embiid, Paul George and Garland native Tyrese Maxey, had only 10 players available while the wounded Mavericks dressed just eight.

A loss appeared like a foregone conclusion when the Mavericks trailed by 14 with just seven minutes left. Washington walked to the scorer’s table to offer a message of reassurance to his teammates Brandon Williams and Max Christie. “We’re good!” he said.

Another familiar foe: See photos from Mavericks’ Sunday showdown with Quentin Grimes, 76ers

View Gallery

That message nearly came to pass as Dallas scored 37 points in the fourth quarter, including an 18-7 run over four minutes to bring the game within one point. Quentin Grimes, the 76ers’ leading scorer, drove to the basket and was fouled by Naji Marshall with 23.7 seconds left. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd challenged the ruling, but the officials deemed that Marshall’s right arm made contact with Grimes.

Final Play

The Mavericks had a chance to tie the game, trailing by three with 12 seconds left. However, Spencer Dinwiddie missed a turnaround 3 with 10.6 seconds remaining on the clock. It was the final chance for Dallas to force overtime.

Jason Kidd revealed the final play was initially intended for Klay Thompson.

“Klay was coming to get it,” Kidd said. “Naji’s our quarterback. He made the right play in the sense of thinking maybe Klay was covered so he went to Spence. He took a good shot. It just hit back rim. Had a good opportunity there.”

Player Performance

Kidd said the Mavericks “were flat” in the third quarter. They were outscored 34-18 during that period and couldn’t stop Philadelphia from scoring inside. The 76ers had 24 points in the paint during the third quarter. Offense was scarce during that time, but Washington attributed the loss to the Mavericks’ 15 turnovers.

Washington showed little signs of rust and proved to be the best player on the floor, showing an ability to get to the rim and finish and attack the boards. He finished with 29 points with 12 rebounds. Despite the long layoff due to the ankle sprain, Washington said he feels like he’s “back to normal.”

“I’m just happy to be back,” Washington said. “I woke up early this morning just excited to play. Definitely happy that I’m back healthy.”

Quentin Grimes

If Washington was the best player on the floor, then the second-best was another familiar face that used to occupy a space inside the Mavericks’ locker room. Grimes, who was traded to Philadelphia for Caleb Martin on Feb. 4, made his return to American Airlines Center for the first time since the widely scrutinized transaction.

Grimes led the 76ers with 28 points and six assists. His emergence as one of the 76ers’ best players while their three best players are hurt served as a painful reminder of how the Mavericks could use his versatile skillset in the midst of an unfortunate string of injuries.

Team Standings

Philadelphia entered the game with a 22-44 record and the Mavericks’ fortunes have gone downhill since the Luka Doncic trade because of injury woes. They now have a 33-36 record after dropping two consecutive games. They have the same loss total as the Phoenix Suns, who are 1.5 games behind the Mavericks for 10th place and the final play-in spot in the Western Conference.

The Mavericks excelled in transition in the first half with 23 fast break points, which were the most Dallas has scored in any first half this season. They scored just five fast break points in the second half.

Other Players

Naji Marshall continued his impressive play with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Thompson also poured in 21 points, which included a clutch 3-pointer with 1:35 left to bring the Mavs within three.

Williams had 11 points. Kessler Edwards started at center and finished with just five points and seven rebounds.

Upcoming Games

The clock is ticking for two of the Mavericks’ two-way players. Edwards has two games of eligibility left, while Williams has five games remaining. Kidd didn’t reveal a plan for how those games will be used, insisting to focus on Sunday’s game against the 76ers.

“We understand he has three games left,” Kidd said before the game. “We’ll figure that out as we go forward because there’s so many different scenarios here that could take place.”

The Mavericks will have two days before they fly east to play against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2

Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

Conclusion

The Dallas Mavericks’ struggles continue with a 130-125 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite a strong performance from P.J. Washington, the team was unable to overcome their injuries and secure a win. With the loss, the Mavericks’ record falls to 33-36, and they remain in 10th place in the Western Conference.

FAQs

Q: What was the final score of the game?

A: The final score of the game was 130-125 in favor of the Philadelphia 76ers.

Q: Who led the 76ers in scoring?

A: Quentin Grimes led the 76ers with 28 points and six assists.

Q: What is the Mavericks’ current record?

A: The Mavericks’ current record is 33-36.

Q: Who will the Mavericks play next?

A: The Mavericks will play against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.