They call the NBA season a marathon.
But if ever a half-marathon has failed to produce any evidence as to how the Mavericks are going to finish this race, the first 41 games were it.
They reached the midpoint of the regular season on MLK Day with a 125-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center. It completed what has been an absolute rollercoaster ride from the start in the first 41 games.
The bottom line, though, is that the Mavericks survived a plethora of injuries that sidelined a lot of key players for multiple games with a 24-17 record.
That’s what is known in the NBA as maintaining relevance to be well-positioned for a run toward the playoffs in the second half.
But until the injury gods play fair with the Mavericks, fans and even the Mavericks themselves won’t know exactly what they have in store for them at money time this season.
“It’s not fair to judge this group yet,” coach Jason Kidd said. “With all the injuries, I think we’re setting a franchise record for different starting lineups. But we can’t complain. Every team is going to go through it.
“ But the character of this group, you can judge. They’ve always bounced back after a tough game. But that question (about what the Mavericks are) can’t be answered until we get whole. And maybe we never get whole.”
Hopefully, they get a little closer to that. The schedule will be a bit more friendly from here on. The Mavericks have played every other day (or back-to-back) since Dec. 11, That will continue through Saturday at Golden State.
But they then will have a two-day break for the first time since the in-season tournament. And they will have another one at the start of February. Those bonus days will allow for rest, plus a practice, which has not happened since 2023.
Kidd, by the way, was right about the starting lineups. The Mavericks have had 23 of them through the first 41 games, more than the franchise has had in any other season through the halfway mark of the season.
And what a run the first 41 were. The Mavericks had a couple of four-game winning streaks. They had regrettable losses to Memphis last week and a New Orleans team that didn’t play its three best scorers on Thursday.
But each time they responded with victories.
They are coming of a 5-2 home stand that has restored their faith in their ability to protect the floor at AAC.
And there are plenty of reasons for optimism going forward.
First, the Mavericks will play more than half of their remaining games (21) against Easter Conference teams. While the East has its share of bullies, it also is loaded with teams that are in the middle of the NBA pack or lower.
If the Mavericks can continue winning two of three against East teams (they are 6-3 presently), then that will pad their record nicely.
And, of course, injuries are the big variable. The Mavericks deserve a run of good health, but as Kidd said, there never is a guarantee of that happening. The first step is to get Luka Dončić back in action. He missed his third consecutive game with an ankle issue on Sunday.
“Quite a few guys have been out and not just for one or two games,” Kidd said. “But we have kept the ship afloat. I think you can give credit to the guys in that locker room. When they have the opportunity, they take full advantage of it. And so the next step is to slowly get healthy and go from there.”
Players surveyed about the Mavericks’ first half agreed with Kidd that an accurate assessment is not possible.
But one player has liked what he’s seen – a lot.
“I love this team,” said Dereck Lively II, who came back from an ankle sprain on Sunday with 12 rebounds, seven offensive. “We have a great chemistry, a great trust factor. If anybody’s lagging behind on the court, everybody’s picking them up. Everybody knows their role, and plays their role perfectly.”
But, again, nobody is ready to make any grand predictions about this team. There’s just not enough evidence to feel comfortable doing so.
“The injuries – no idea,” said Tim Hardaway Jr. “But I know when it comes down to crunch time, a lot of guys on our team have been in these scenarios, so when the time comes around, they’ll be ready.”
And, as they head forward, there is one area that they know they can and need to improve in.
“I want to find that consistency,” said Kyrie Irving. “I know my teammates and coaching staff, our management, want to find that consistency as well. That’s what the healthy challenge is every day – going out there every day and playing your best game and living with the results.”
X: @ESefko
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