Three things to watch as the Mavericks take on the Wizards
Two teams in need of a win
The Dallas Mavericks (24-22) face off against the Washington Wizards (6-38) on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the American Airlines Center. The Wizards, who are on a 13-game losing streak, will conclude a six-game western road trip that, while winless, has allowed them to start shaping their team identity. They last played Saturday, falling to the Suns 119-109. Meanwhile, the Mavericks are coming off a 122-107 loss to the Celtics, during which they lost yet another rotation player, as Maxi Kleber suffered a foot injury. The Wizards, who have the league’s worst defense and allow an average of 122.1 points per game, are led offensively by Jordan Poole, who averages 21.4 points and 3.7 made threes per game.
Kleber joins Luka Dončić (calf), Dereck Lively II (foot), Dante Exum (wrist), Naji Marshall (illness), and Dwight Powell (hip) on the Mavericks’ injured list. On the Wizards’ side, Malcolm Brogdon (foot), Marvin Bagley (knee), and Saddiq Bey (knee) are unavailable. In their last matchup on December 5, the Mavericks defeated the Wizards 137-101.
Deep waters run still
After allowing Boston to make 20 of their 52 three-point attempts on Saturday, the Mavericks now face another team that heavily relies on deep shots. The Wizards have attempted at least 40 three-pointers in each of their last nine games. This approach has resulted in a mix of poor shooting nights, such as a 9-for-46 performance against the Thunder on January 12, and strong individual outings, like Poole’s 8-for-15 showing against the Warriors on January 18. Over this stretch, Washington has shot 31.9% from beyond the arc. Facing frequent deficits, the Wizards often resort to long-range attempts—whether in broken plays, late shot-clock situations, or off high screens set by centers Alex Sarr or Jonas Valančiūnas, who also take threes themselves.
Sarr, Valančiūnas, and power forward Kyle Kuzma could pose challenges for a Mavericks team lacking frontcourt depth due to injuries. Kuzma, who frequently initiates offense in transition, is both a testament to his versatility and an indication of the Wizards’ limited roster experience. Daniel Gafford has stepped up with some strong performances but is more effective defensively near the rim than Sarr prefers to play. P.J. Washington, who was held to 4-for-13 shooting by Boston’s big lineup on Saturday, will also have to deliver. While the Wizards may not be a strong team overall, they have quality bigs to rotate throughout the game, putting pressure on Dallas to rely on bench options like Olivier Maxence-Prosper and Kessler Edwards. The Mavericks also added Kylor Kelley from the G-League’s South Bay Lakers on Sunday.
From paint to point
Similar to how Jaden Hardy has been refining his game by driving to the basket more often, Washington’s offense has leaned on its young guards—Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George, and Carlton Carrington—attacking the rim. Coulibaly has shown promise as an elite finisher, while George and Carrington have combined for an impressive 53-for-83 at the rim. On the defensive end, the Wizards struggle with perimeter defense, often getting lost against pick-and-roll plays. This could be good news for Kyrie Irving, who faced a tough defensive outing against Boston. Hardy, who scored 20 points in the second half of Saturday’s game, could also contribute if he continues his strong play.
Through the looking glass
Although these teams began the season with very different expectations, the injury-plagued Mavericks and the rebuilding Wizards now share certain challenges as they navigate the midseason grind. Both squads have seen their best offense come in transition but have struggled in half-court sets—the Wizards due to inexperience and the Mavericks due to missing key players.
Each team also features players stepping into unfamiliar roles, whether it’s the Wizards’ young talents finding their footing or Mavericks’ role players like Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes taking on starter-level responsibilities.
The trade deadline on February 6 looms as an opportunity for both teams to address their weaknesses. During Washington’s game against the Clippers last Thursday, broadcaster Jim Jackson drew comparisons between the Wizards’ struggles and his own experience with early-career Mavericks teams that lacked depth. “Hope can stay alive during tough times,” he said, emphasizing the importance of effort and resilience. For the Mavericks, a key aspect of professionalism is beating the teams they are expected to beat. Monday’s game offers a chance to rebound after losses to the Trail Blazers, Pelicans, and Hornets earlier this month.
How to watch/listen
Channel: 29, MAVS TV (streaming)
Radio: 97.1 FM KEGL (Englis
h), 99.1 FM KFZO (Spanish)
