Stats Rundown: 3 Numbers from the Mavericks Loss to the Hawks The Dallas Mavericks suffered another heavy defeat, falling to the Atlanta Hawks 135-120 in a Wednesday night matchup in Dallas. The Hawks’ CJ McCollum dominated with 24 points, while Jalen Johnson nearly recorded a triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. Dallas’ Daniel Gafford led the team in scoring with 23 points. The game lacked defensive intensity, continuing a troubling trend for the Mavericks as they approach another season of struggles. The Hawks’ ability to score in the paint was alarming, as they tallied 72 points inside the arc. This followed Dallas’ earlier giveaway of 68 paint points to the Pelicans on Monday, highlighting a recurring issue. The Mavericks’ small-ball lineup, which started again, proved ineffective from the outset. PJ Washington, a rim protector for a wing, struggled as the sole backline defender, and the presence of 5-foot-11 Ryan Nembhard further weakened the defensive effort. The team’s lack of reliable defenders compounded their challenges, with little hope of turning things around. Cooper Flagg contributed minimally offensively but made an impact defensively, recording two steals and two blocks. While the Mavericks’ defensive struggles were evident, Flagg’s efforts provided a few moments of disruption. However, the team’s overall lack of defensive presence overshadowed any positive contributions. The Mavericks’ offensive woes were also apparent, as Flagg, PJ Washington, and Naji Marshall combined for just 2-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc. Washington managed 2-of-6, but Flagg and Marshall were a combined 0-for-4. The team’s reliance on small-ball tactics to boost an anemic offense has not resolved their shooting issues.#dallas_mavericks #atlanta_hawks #jalen_johnson #cj_mccollum #daniel_gafford
