The Dallas Mavericks have won three straight, putting them at 12-8 a quarter of the way through the 2024-25 season. Though they’re just fifth in the Western Conference, it could’ve gone much worse after superstar Luka Doncic was ruled out with a wrist injury. Having Kyrie Irving on board definitely helps, but there are a lot of talented teams in the NBA.
Fortunately for the Mavs, they’re proving themselves to be one of those, and not just because of Doncic or Irving. Over the past two weeks, several players have stepped up, including PJ Washington and Naji Marshall. Their numbers since Doncic’s injury speak to a more aggressive mindset, which Mavs head coach Jason Kidd would like them to “to maintain” when their face of the franchise returns.
“We need guys like P.J. and Naji to maintain this level of aggressiveness when Luka comes back,” Kidd says, per Dallas Hoop Journal’s Grant Afseth. “It’s not just about one or two players carrying the load—it’s about everyone knowing their role, being confident, and contributing. That’s what makes us dangerous. … Everything we’ve done without (Doncic) only makes us stronger when he’s back.”
Irving agrees, saying that it “gives our role players an opportunity to step up, take more shots, and learn in real time. When Luka comes back, we’ll be stronger because of it.”
Mavs Love Balanced Attack But Need Luka Doncic’s Buy-In
During Doncic’s absence, Washington has averaged 15.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. He’s also been scorching the nets, making 41.2 percent of his three-pointers. Marshall has averaged 18.3 points per game and knocked down 47.8 percent of his threes. Then there’s Quentin Grimes, who has averaged 15.0 points per game on 44.8 percent shooting from three.
It isn’t necessarily addition by subtraction, words that inspire images of Los Angeles Clippers wing Norman Powell. Nonetheless, it isn’t a coincidence that so many players have been able to produce at a higher level with Doncic out. The Mavs’ offense isn’t heliocentric but a lot revolves around their franchise star.
When Doncic isn’t on the floor, the void is so big that it gives more than one player the opportunity to step up. Furthermore, though he’s rightly regarded as a premier playmaker, the five-time All-Star tends to be ball-dominant. So, with him out, Dallas’ offense is more of an open plain. Any player could have it going, but aside from Irving, nobody is necessarily demanding touches.
Keeping Their Momentum
If Kidd wants the Mavs’ supporting cast to keep their momentum, Doncic has to be willing to play ball. Similar to Atlanta Hawks guard Trae Young, he should take a step back as a scorer to empower his teammates. This has helped the Hawks have a more balanced attack and could do the same for the Mavs. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic came out the gates firing this season, but it’s usually the approach he takes as well.
Selfishly, Doncic could consider this a way of being healthier at the end of the season. To that point, Doncic was dinged up by the time Dallas reached the 2024 NBA Finals and it clearly affected his performance. Why go through that again if the he doesn’t have to?
From a more mature perspective though, basketball is a team game. It’s not enough to just have players who can fill a role. Though that’s key, maximizing the effectiveness of each player is even more crucial. If Doncic or Irving is being bottled up or they’re just cold, having other players who they know they can count on will go a long way. Frankly, if that was the case during their Finals run, it might have gone smoother.
