Player Characters: Resumption of Mavericks vs. Pelicans

Dallas Mavericks took on New Orleans PelicansLooking out to avenge a disappointing loss earlier this month, when an unanswered Goaltend call played strongly in the result. Tonight was another story with Mavs grabbing a 137 – 136 victory.

This was an important game to put the tone of a five-game road trip, and despite the fact that he sometimes looked a little flat, Mavs collective showed up and would not be denied a clutch. In what will hopefully be a positive tendency for the injury winners, Mavs welcomed Naji Marshall from a disease that kept him out of the previous four matches.

Let’s get to the characters!

KYRIE IRVING: A-

25 points / 9 rebounds / 6 assists / 1 steal / 0 blocks (39 minutes)

Irving was a quiet destruction in this game. While Washington and Gafford rightly grabbing attention, Irving’s games were critically important. He did almost everything well, except for a little bad three-point shooting on a big volume (3-for-9). His assistant in everything, and especially his rebounding total was very impressive.

Spencer Dinwiddie: B+

11 points / 4 rebounds / 7 assists / 1 steal / 0 blocks (28 minutes)

Dinwiddie continued to show interest in going out of a nine-assisted game last time. He had three assists before the six -minute brand in the first quarter tonight before slowing down a touch, yet ending the night with seven vs. Only two revenue. He hit 4-for-8 from the floor, which is a good sign. He had suffered from a shooting fallout that looks like it might be ending. He also hit the night’s biggest free throw (given he missed the second largest free throw at night, on the same trip to the line).

Klay Thompson: A

20 Points / 4 Rebounds / 1 Assist / 0 Steals / 0 blocks (29 minutes)

It was great to see Thompson start hot as he did last match. Believe it or not, his shooting cooled when the game went on, despite hitting 7-for-15 with 6-for-11 from three at night. He had two revenue, including a completely astonishing (a throw to nobody, outside the bounds) that added unnecessary drama to the game last minute, but makes no mistake that this was a lovely evening for him. If these last two matches are proof that Thompson finds a groove, Mavs Nation should be very excited.

PJ Washington: A+

25 Points / 14 Rebounds / 8 Assists / 0 Steals / 1 Block (38 minutes)

Washington did not start well, missing seven of his first eleven shots while he was noticeable outplayed by Zion Williamson. Of course, Williamson is not a slouch, but it is difficult to remember a time that PJ seemed to be in defense. However, Washington remained the course and improved his shooting dramatically and really lit it in the fourth quarter, as it was most important – his fourth quarter alone would have been a decent game. He also had a career high in assist as he flirted with a triple double. The defense was quite shiny to me, but his ability to influence the game in other ways causes him to peak.

Daniel Gafford: A+

22 points / 12 rebounds / 3 assists / 0 steals / 4 blocks (34 minutes)

In the midst of the best seven martial arts in his career, Gafford seemed to expand his race by showing his defensive skill with blocks on back-to-back holdings in the second quarter. Gafford is number two in the league in blocks since the beginning of 2025 and padded its position with tonight’s performance. I don’t think the development of his offensive games since last year can be exaggerated. He has a lot more control, has much better finesse and plays intelligently around the edge while expanding his push shot/hook shot game a few meters out. This was a legitimate double-double with a lovely assistant total and a block party playing music for Mavs ‘fans’ ears. 9-for-9 from the field and 4-for-4 from the free throwing line puts him over the top, even despite a highly faulty total (5).

Olivier-Maxence Prosper: B.

4 points / 3 rebounds / 1 assists / 1 steal / 0 blocks (15 minutes)

Prosper had a similar game as Edwards. Not obviously effective based on Box score, but if you saw the game, you saw that he continued to do the right thing and brought his usual expected energy to cause the necessary chaos he becomes known for.

Quentin Grimes: A-

17 points / 1 rebounds / 0 assists / 3 steals / 0 blocks (20 minutes)

Grimes revived Mavs in the third quarter via a flurry of midrange jumpers and a nice drive to the hole. He was huge, if not the only reason Mavs led the lead into the fourth. His shooting was on point (6-for-8 overall and 3-for-5 from three), he had sticky hands for three steals and played incredible defense on the last possession of the game. Zero Assists were weird, but not a detrimental to his character, as his score was clearly the call to order here.

Jaden Hardy: c-

6 points / 1 rebound / 0 assists / 0 steals / 0 blocks (6 minutes)

Hardy spiked two triangles, but was generally frustrating in all other facets of the game. He got his pocket picked almost immediately after touching the ball for the first time and contributed virtually nothing beyond his two brands. Coach Jason Kidd was clearly not impressed, because after Hardy checked out, he never checked back in.

Naji Marshall: N/A

5 points / 0 rebounds / 2 assists / 0 steals / 0 block (15 minutes)

Naji gets an N/A here largely due to a minute limit and plays no crunch time dinner. Despite coming back from a four-game absence, he still had a solid game in limited flooring time, so it seemed appropriate to at least give him a publicity. Hopefully this was a perfect scenario to get him back in the swing and play well.

Kessler Edwards: f

2 points / 3 rebounds / 2 assists / 0 steals / 1 block (15 minutes)

Edwards did not have a huge state line, but gets a character tonight because he nevertheless had a meaningful influence on the game. His lonely block came in the critical moments of the fourth quarter and was huge, especially when the game came much closer than necessary in the diminishing minutes. Edwards may still prove to be the silver lining for all the damage that Mavs suffered, as he could still be a valuable piece for this team now that he is otherwise not available minutes.

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