The Dallas Mavericks faced off against the Los Angeles Clippers on December 19, 2024, without their star players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, resulting in a disappointing 118-95 loss at the American Airlines Center. The game, lacking the intensity of prior playoff matchups between the two teams, highlighted the Mavericks' struggles as they sought to fill the void left by their absent stars.
Missing Doncic, who was sidelined due to a left heel contusion, and Irving, dealing with right shoulder soreness, the Mavericks had their work cut out for them. The absence of both players accounted for approximately 52.8 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 13.5 assists missing from the lineup. Mavericks' coach Jason Kidd captured the sentiment, stating, “We can't expect our players to mimic Luka or Kai. It's not reasonable.”
The defeat marked the first significant test for the Mavericks this season when both of their superstars were unavailable. Before this game, the Mavericks had managed to maintain success even with absences, posting twelve wins against only two losses over their last fourteen games. Kidd maintained hopes for his team's capability, stating before the game, “We believe we have enough talent... to get the win.”
Early on, it looked promising for Dallas. A dunk from Dereck Lively II gave them a 40-33 lead midway through the second quarter. But the game shifted dramatically during the third period, where the Clippers launched a stunning 24-6 run, sequentially outscoring the Mavericks and ended the quarter with 39 points, establishing an 89-77 lead. This performance underscored their prowess, driven by contributions from Norman Powell, who led the Clippers with 29 points, James Harden with 24, and Ivica Zubac, who contributed 21 points and 15 rebounds.
Even as the Mavericks pulled to within eight points early in the fourth quarter, they struggled to find momentum. “It was the first time playing without both our guys. I’m sure it won’t be the last,” Thompson remarked after leading the Mavericks with 22 points, reflecting on the challenges of adjusting to the absence of their star players, and underlining the difficulties for role players who thrived when Doncic and Irving were around to draw defenses away.
Klay Thompson was among those who felt the strain of coping without the All-Stars. Despite his commendable performance, he noted, “It’s frustrating when you shoot the ball poorly...I was a big culprit of it.” Indeed, the stats showed the Mavericks’ offensive woes; they sunk just 39.5% of their attempts and struggled particularly from long-range, hitting only 7-of-30 three-point shots.
On the defensive end, the Mavericks could not keep pace with the Clippers, who took full advantage of points in the paint, outscoring Dallas 54-34 under the basket. Kidd commented, “Their pick and roll was good. His (Zubac’s) post-ups and his offensive rebounds, they hurt us.” This inability to defend painted the picture of the game, showcasing the Clippers’ ability to control the tempo and dominate under the boards.
Derrick Jones Jr., who had developed his game during his time with the Mavericks before signing with the Clippers, received strong praise from Coach Tyronne Lue. “Defensively, that's his forte,” Lue said, highlighting Jones’ contributions and how he had adapted well to their system.
The Mavericks, now standing at 17-10, faced criticism without their key playmakers but remained hopeful about their upcoming rematch against the Clippers this Saturday, December 21, 2024. Heading toward the second game, both teams appeared eager to assess the health of their rosters, particularly Doncic and Irving. During practice the day after the game, it was reported both players got shots up, fueling optimism for their imminent return to action.
Looking forward, the expectation looms large for the rematch. “We just ran out of gas,” Kidd admitted after the game. With injuries overshadowing their season so far, the fate of both teams looms heavily on the recovery of their star players. For Mavericks fans, the hope is to regroup and find strength as they head back on the court to face the Clippers again.
