Kai Jones doesn’t mind Mavs playing with just eight players

 INDIANAPOLIS – From Kai Jones’ vantage point, the Dallas Mavericks having to play games with just eight players is not really a bad thing. At least not for him.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s fun because you know you’re going to play a lot, so I love it,” Jones said. “It’s like a dream. It’s like, I’m not coming out (of the game) at all.”

Jones’ position obviously is a bit skewed, because he’s busy trying to get his feet planted solidly in the NBA. Jones has played for three NBA teams and four NBA G League squads since entering the NBA in 2021, so playing time for him is like winning an Olympic medal.

The shorter the game-time roster, the more minutes for Jones. And in the two games he’s played for the Mavs, he’s made the most of his opportunities.

In his debut with the Mavs on March 3 against Sacramento, Jones was 9-of-10 from the field and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds in 34 minutes. And in Wednesday’s emotional 135-131 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Jones was 8-of-9 from the floor and collected 18 points and a game-high 11 rebounds in 24 minutes.

Yes, the 6-11 Jones wants to be on the court. But he also has compassion for his injured teammates, of which there are many.

“The first game (against Sacramento) I was like, ‘Keep me in,’ “ Jones said. “I love to play. It’s like when you’re playing at the rec when you don’t lose, you don’t even have to come off (the court).

“But it’s sad to see that players are getting hurt. I pray that they come back quickly. I told Kyrie (Irving) that I’m praying for him and hope he comes back better than ever.”

Signed to a two-way contract by the Mavs on March 3, Jones averaged 2.2 points and 1.6 rebounds in 7.4 minutes while playing 28 games this season for the Los Angeles Clippers, who waived him on March 1. Since then, Jones has been a diamond in the rough while being discovered and signed by Mavs general manager Nico Harrison.

“I think when you look at what Kai’s done here, he was perfect from the floor except for one miss,” coach Jason Kidd said, alluding to Wednesday’s game against the Pacers. “Him being able to rebound the ball (and) with his athleticism getting out and running (is perfect).

“Again, I think he’s picked up from when we had him in that first game. He was a positive for us (Wednesday) and we’re going to need that going forward. But I thought he was great.”

Being great at basketball is what Jones aspires to be, so he can perhaps receive a long-term contract and some financial security. So, as of now, he’s in the impressive business. The more he can impress the Mavs, the more money he’ll possibly be able to make down the road.

“I think for me, I like the way I rebounded throughout (Wednesday’s) game,” Jones said. “I wanted the team to see my motor. For myself, I hold myself to that standard.

“But just continue to be more efficient. . .keep working on my game, stay in the gym, staying alive, stay consistent. But I love the way that we played overall. For myself, I feel like I could have been a bit better, but (I was) pretty good overall.”

Jones was so proficient on Wednesday that he converted six dunks overall, including three during a 69-second span in the third quarter.

“(Dunks have) always been a strength of mine since I was a young player in AAU,” Jones said. “My coaches always told me to dunk everything, play hard and play aggressive.”

In the meantime, while he loves all the playing time he can get, Jones also wishes for the day when his teammates can get back healthy and on the court.

“It’s sad to see (the injured players), because guys love the game,” Jones said. “Guys love to play. I know what it feels like when you’re down and you can’t move.

“You really just love to hoop, so that’s what we’re in love with. So, when you can’t hoop, it’s hard. But I pray that they come back.”

Here are the takeaways from the Mavs’ four-point loss to the Pacers.

WASHINGTON REIGNS SUPREME: Mavs forward P.J. Washington continues to round himself back into the thick of things after he missed seven games with a right ankle sprain. After scoring 29 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in 32 minutes during Sunday’s game against Philadelphia, Washington followed that with 26 points and five rebounds in 38 minutes during Wednesday’s game against Indiana.

HARDY’S PARTY RETURNED: Jaden Hardy looked silky smooth Wednesday night against the Pacers as the Mavs’ guard finished with 24 points in just 24 minutes. Hardy was an effective 8-of-13 from the field, including 3-of-6 from three-point territory. It was Hardy’s first game since he sprained his right ankle during the March 3 game against Sacramento.

TOO MANY MISTAKES DOWN THE STRETCH: The Mavs all but gift-wrapped Wednesday’s game and handed it to the Pacers. The Mavs were ahead, 128-121, with under a minute remaining in the game. Then, disaster struck. Not only did the Mavs commit three costly turnovers down the stretch, they also missed three free throws.

X: @DwainPrice