The Dallas Mavericks’ (33-24) season-best winning streak of seven games came to an end on Sunday with a 133-111 loss to the Indiana Pacers (33-25) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Despite their efforts, the Mavericks struggled to find their rhythm, delivering one of their most disappointing offensive performances in recent memory.
Dallas found themselves trailing in the second quarter, but they always seemed poised for a potential game-changing surge. Luka Dončić spearheaded an 8-0 run early in the second quarter, erasing a five-point deficit after successful 3-pointers from Kleber and Dončić himself. This put the Mavericks ahead 43-40 with eight minutes remaining before halftime. Dončić led all scorers with 25 points at halftime.
However, despite a roster filled with offensive talent, Dončić found himself lacking sufficient support from his teammates in the first half. Newcomer P.J. Washington struggled on offense, shooting just 1-for-4 from the field and missing both of his first-half 3-point attempts. Tim Hardaway Jr. didn’t fare much better, going 2-of-7 in his first 13 minutes of play.
Indiana regained the lead and extended it to as much as eight points before halftime. Tyrese Haliburton demonstrated excellent decision-making, knowing precisely when to take his shot and when to find an open teammate. Haliburton amassed 12 points and seven assists by halftime, while Myles Turner, a native of Euless, Texas, led the Pacers with 15 points and five rebounds on 5-of-7 shooting.
The game highlighted five concerning signs for the Mavericks, including missed scoring opportunities, particularly layups by Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford. Additionally, the Pacers’ offensive prowess proved challenging for Dallas, especially with Turner’s exceptional performance. Turner scored a season-high 30 points with exceptional ball movement benefiting him throughout the game.
Mavericks’ coach Jason Kidd faces questions about his rotations, particularly regarding the use of Hardaway and Kleber over Josh Green and Dereck Lively II. The loss was a collective struggle for the Mavericks, with at least six players delivering subpar performances.
Ben Sheppard, previously unfamiliar to many, notably scored 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc against the Mavericks. This highlighted the team’s defensive vulnerabilities, turning lesser-known players into formidable opponents.
Despite glimpses of hope for a late-game comeback, the Mavericks couldn’t generate the momentum needed. Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard’s 3-pointers pushed the Pacers to a commanding 120-102 lead with less than six minutes remaining, dashing the Mavericks’ hopes.
Dončić finished the game with 33 points, six rebounds, and six assists, while Irving added 29 points. However, their contributions were not enough to secure a victory, as the rest of the team struggled to make significant impacts on the game.