The Dallas Mavericks cruised past the Utah Jazz in a preseason showdown, winning 114-101. Anthony Davis led Dallas with 25 points, and the Mavericks enjoyed a well-rounded attack on both ends of the floor.
Cooper Flagg added 11 points, seven rebounds, two blocks, and two steals. Naji Marshall came off the bench to score 17 points. Dallas finished with ten blocked shots and went 15-of-53 from deep, although Jason Kidd didn’t mind the lack of efficiency.
“I don’t know the last time a Mavs team shot 50-something 3s, it’s been a while,” said Kidd after the game. “Having 32 assists, that helps.”
GettySALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 13: Keyonte George #3 of the Utah Jazz moves between Cooper Flagg #32 and P.J. Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of the preseason game on October 13, 2025 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks Cement Starting Lineup
The Mavericks started Davis, Flagg, PJ Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Klay Thompson. Their jumbo-lineup caused havoc on the defensive end, and they didn’t really seem to miss having a traditional point guard.
Kyrie Irving remains out with an ACL tear, and D’Angelo Russell got the night off. Undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard recorded 12 assists off the bench to go with only a single turnover.
Kidd didn’t seem to mind not having a point guard out there.
“It was really good,” said Kidd of his starting unit. “Just being able to have options, starting PJ, I thought that group got off to a really good start. Defensively, I thought we set the tone early. And, again, offensively, we got some great looks. I thought that group was really good. We’ll probably see that group start on Thursday.”
The Mavericks will play the Los Angeles Lakers on October 15 in Las Vegas in their final preseason game before taking on the San Antonio Spurs in the regular-season opener on October 22nd at home.
Dallas Mavericks Expected to Remain Big
The preseason is ripe for experimentation. Now is the time for Kidd to trot out oversized lineups without a proven facilitator, just to see what works.
When it works as well as it did against the Jazz, he might as well keep the good times rolling. On opening night, the Spurs are expected to start Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama. The best way to defend that lineup will be to deploy as much size and athleticism as possible.
Kidd’s most recent starting unit does just that.
This summer, there were rumors that Flagg would start as the point guard. The Mavericks signed Russell, silencing that speculation, but with less than two weeks before the season starts, things are looking up for the point-Flagg agenda.
Expect Dallas to finalize any roster tweaks in their preseason finale against a shorthanded Lakers team.
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