As Kyrie Irving said, nobody’s is feeling 100 percent physically at this time of the NBA season. Aches and pains are standard for every player that has survived the 82-game regular season to make the playoffs. Luka Dončić is proof. He acknowledged after the 116-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4 on Sunday that he’s dealing with is not a “perfect situation.” The superstar point guard was questionable going into Game 4 with right knee soreness. Less publicized was that he was also dealing with a head cold, as a substantial portion of the general population has been lately. “It’s hurt ..read more

The Dallas Mavericks are bemoaning the fact that the Los Angeles Clippers have been winning games in this best-of-seven first-round playoff series without having the services of All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard. It’s a dilemma that is mysterious to the Mavs. Leonard is clearly the Clippers’ best player, and he missed Games 1 and 4 while dealing with inflammation in his right knee. However, not having Leonard has been a perfect recipe for the Clippers, because they won both games that he didn’t play in, and ultimately lost Games 2 and 3 when they had his services. Doing the math, if the Mavs had ..read more

As the Dallas Mavericks attempt to get a firm grip on this best-of-seven first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, coach Jason Kidd wanted to make one thing perfectly clear about the team from Southern California. “This is a veteran ball club,” Kidd said, referring to the Clippers. “They’ve been in every situation, so there’s nothing for us to celebrate.” Tipoff for Game 4 is Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at American Airlines Center, and the Mavs lead the series, 2-1. But Kidd want to remind everyone to temper their celebrations, and that a series is only won when one team wins four g ..read more

After Friday’s fourth-quarter altercation with the Los Angeles Clippers’ Terance Mann and others, P.J. Washington struck a pose. And not just any pose. His face was emotionless. His arms crossed. He stared at the Clippers’ bench as if to say: Come and take it. The Clippers didn’t. Or couldn’t. A few moments later, the 6-7 Washington mixed it up with Russell Westbrook and both players ended up being ejected with their second technical fouls. But it was the stance, the pose, that got everybody’s attention and became a viral photo on social media. “I thought he was with Run-DMC for a minute,” coa ..read more

Daniel Gafford was on a mission to prove that he’s way better than the performances he turned in against the Los Angeles Clippers during the first two games of this best-of-seven first-round playoff series. In the first two games in LA, Gafford had cumulative totals of just three points, one rebound, one blocked shot and was 1-of-7 from the field. But during Friday’s 101-90 victory over the Clippers in Game 3 at American Airlines Center, a much more aggressive Gafford had six points, three rebounds and was 3-of-4 from the field – in the game’s first six minutes. “I thought he was great,” coach ..read more

In keeping with the NBA’s theme for these 2024 playoffs, it’s fair to say a few words about the Mavericks’ defense. It’s a thing. In a strong show of toughness and willpower, the Mavericks unleashed their home-court version of playoff mode and took down the Los Angeles Clippers 101-90 on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round playoff series. The Mavericks went up 2-1 in the best-of-seven match and are two victories from advancing to the conference semifinals. Not that Friday night was a must-win by any stretch. But teams that take a 2-1 lead in a best-of-seven series advance to the next rou ..read more

Luka Dončić has been chosen as the winner of the 2024 NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist award, the league announced Friday. It is one of the most prestigious awards the league has for contributions to helping others in the community. Below is the official NBA news release, followed by the original mavs.com story when Luka was nominated for the award earlier in April.   DALLAS MAVERICKS’ LUKA DONČIĆ NAMED NBA CARES BOB LANIER COMMUNITY ASSIST AWARD APRIL WINNER – Dončić is being recognized for providing memorable experiences for youth and uplifting communities –  – NBA to donate ..read more

On the surface, what Jason Kidd said sounded crazy when he was asked why the Mavericks haven’t yet been able to get their lob-dunk game going in the first round of the playoffs. Through two games, the Los Angeles Clippers have been successful at taking away the easy slams for Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Derrick Jones or P.J. Washington. Those almost always come after passes from Luka Dončić or Kyrie Irving, usually a lob. So what did Kidd say about that? “Yeah, that’s their game plan: make Luka score,” he said. “So we got to take what they give us. And right now, that’s what they’re givi ..read more

Probably the one member of the Dallas Mavericks with the toughest job in this playoff series with the Los Angeles Clippers is forward Derrick Jones Jr. One minute Jones may be asked to guard Kawhi Leonard. The next minute he’s guarding Paul George. A few seconds later he’s trying to put the defensive clamps on James Harden. And then he’s trying to contain Russell Westbrook. Officially, all four of those players will more than likely one day have a statue reserved for them in the Hall of Fame. That’s why when Jones punches the time clock to go to work on game day, he knows he could invariably b ..read more

The Mavericks expected Tim Hardaway Jr. to be out for Game 3 after he sprained his right ankle in Game 2 on Tuesday. They found out Thursday that that’s the case after the Mavericks practiced in advance of Friday’s meeting with the Los Angeles Clippers at American Airlines Center with the series tied at a win apiece. Less certain is whether starting center Daniel Gafford will be available. He suffered a lower-back injury in Game 2 and did not practice on Thursday. Coach Jason Kidd said Gafford is questionable for Game 3. In a best-of-seven series that is getting progressively more physical, lo ..read more