Player Grades: Recapping a much-needed 106-98 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder

Kyrie Irving returned and the Mavericks took advantage of SGA sitting the game out to grind out a win in a game which only stoked the flames of a budding rivalry.

A bizarre but much-needed win. The Dallas Mavericks beat the Western Conference- leading Oklahoma City Thunder 106-98 to bounce back from an embarrassing loss against the Pelicans on Wednesday night. Granted, the Thunder were without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was a last-minute scratch with right wrist soreness which was a break the Mavericks badly needed considering the state of their snake-bitten roster.

Kyrie Irving returned after sitting out the New Orleans game, but Dereck Lively remained out with a Right Ankle Sprain. The Mavericks injury-depleted roster got even thinner during the game with Jaden Hardy leaving in the 2^nd quarter with an Ankle Sprain & Dwight Powell ruled out with a Right Hip injury in the 3^rd. As with all games post-Christmas, Luka Doncic (Calf Strain) & Dante Exum (Broken Hand) remained out.

This game had everything – playoff physicality, multiple scuffles, even a Lu Dort flopping call! SGA’s absence was very notable though as the Thunder struggled to score in the 1^st half. The Mavericks went on a heater at the end of the 2^nd quarter, going on a 19-2 run to go into the half with a 20pt lead. The Thunder though, came out of the locker room and dialled up the defense to 11 in the 3^rd quarter. They held the Mavericks to zero Field goals in the first 8mins of the 3^rd quarter, allowing them to get back into the game. The toll of playing a back-to-back and 4-in-6 meant that they ran out of gas, allowing the Mavericks to settle down and bring this one home.

Let’s look at how the Mavericks graded out in a bounce-back win against the Thunder:

Kyrie Irving: A

25 Points/5 Rebounds/5 Assists/1 Steal

Kyrie shook off the rust and came out firing in this one, scoring 6pts in the 1^st quarter and 17pts in the 1^st half. For a Mavericks injury-depleted roster starving for offense, Kyrie was a much-needed stabilising force. He forced the Thunder to double him for most of the 2^nd half which took the ball out of his hands, but he moved the ball well and kept the Mavericks from collapsing down the stretch, finishing with a team-high plus-13.

Spencer Dinwiddie: B+

16 Points/3 Rebounds/4 Assists/2 Steals

Spencer rebounded with a decent game after his horrendous play in the last few games. He hit timely shots, particularly in the 4^th quarter. Unlike the last few games, he didn’t settle for dribbling the air out of the ball too many times and moved the ball efficiently. This kind of play is what makes the Spencer Dinwiddie experience a rollercoaster. His irrational confidence is a great thing when he gets going but is maddeningly frustrating when it doesn’t. Looks like the Mavericks fans aren’t done with the THJ-type experience just yet.

Klay Thompson: B-

6 Points/5 Rebounds/3 Assists/3 Steals/1 Block

Klay… was there, I guess? It might seem like that’s a bad thing, but it’s not. Klay didn’t have a noticeable impact on the box score with only 6pts, but did contribute with timely defensive play, finishing with 4 stocks. It looks like the Mavericks are saving his legs for the stretch run as he’s been averaging only 24mins a game over the last 5-10. His availability is key though while Luka & Kyrie are missing games, providing some semblance of a stabilising force.

P.J. Washington: A

16 Points/7 Rebounds/5 Assists/1 Steal/1 Block

PJ owns the Thunder. It seems like it’s personal too. PJ was great in this game with some incredible physicality. His defense when he got switched onto Jalen Williams ensured that J-Dub didn’t get going at all. With Daniel Gafford getting into foul trouble, the Mavericks played small for a lot of the game, with PJ’s play being a key part of ensuring that they didn’t choke it all away. He was efficient too going 6/8 from the field and 2/4 from beyond the 3pt line. Now if only the Mavericks could convince PJ that he’s playing Oklahoma City every night.

Daniel Gafford: C-

8 Points/6 Rebounds/2 Assists/1 Steal/2 Blocks

Gafford followed up a career-high game against New Orleans with a bit of a dud. He was in foul trouble all night, falling for Jaylin Williams’ foul-baiting defense time after time and ending the game with a team-high 5 turnovers. There was a point in the 2^nd quarter where he was fouled multiple times and could’ve got going, but he was inefficient from the FT line too, going 4/8. With Dwight Powell going down in this game and Lively’s injury history, Gafford is going to have to pick up his play for the Mavericks to stay afloat.

Naji Marshall: A

14 Points/10 Rebounds/1 Assists/3 Steals/1 Block

Naji was probably the reason why the Mavericks held off a furious Thunder comeback with his solid play in the 4^th quarter. He scored 9pts off two 3-pointers and a 3pt play and the Mavericks never looked back. He played with great energy all game and his rebounding was key when the Mavericks played so much of the game with a smaller lineup, ultimately finishing with 10 rebounds and a double-double. The hope is that this is the start of Naji getting back to his play from earlier in the season – the Mavericks desperately need that to survive this difficult stretch without their top players.

Quentin Grimes: B-

5 Points/3 Rebounds/1 Assist

Grimes had a difficult game. The Thunder are physical and long, which didn’t really allow Grimes to get going. He wasn’t effective on the defensive end either which resulted in him finishing the game on the bench with a team-low minus-8. Grimes’ play this season has been a positive, but ultimately his limitations show out in games like these against high-level opposition.

Maxi Kleber: B+

7 Points/2 Rebounds/4 Assists/2 Blocks

Maxi had a decent enough game. The Mavericks played small with Maxi at the 5 for a lot of the game with Gafford in foul trouble, and Maxi was serviceable. Ultimately, his fear of shooting the ball is what limits him as all of his shots look like they lack confidence. Opponents give him the Russell Westbrook treatment and let him take uncontested 3s and Maxi is going to have to get some kind of mojo going if the Mavericks can’t really upgrade from him at the trade deadline – the team can’t afford to play long stretches of 4v5 on the offensive end of the floor.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper: B+

7 Points/2 Rebounds/0 Assists

O-Max was great in his cameo. He brought energy when it looked like the Mavericks were flagging a bit with 2 thunderous dunks. He needs to get comfortable taking those wide-open 3pt shots that opponents are willing to give him – he unnecessarily faked and drove into a crowded lane multiple times instead of just taking the shot. Baby steps for the baby giraffe.

Jaden Hardy, Dwight Powell: Incomplete

2 Points/0 Rebounds/0 Assists/0 Blocks

Sigh… More injuries. Jaden Hardy played little more than a minute before leaving the game after spraining his ankle when Isaiah Joe fell on it. This leaves the Mavericks guard depth dangerously thin. Dwight Powell looked like he tore his groin on a closeout before leaving the game with what was called a Right Hip injury. With Lively missing time, this means that the frontcourt depth also takes a big hit. Yuck.