Deadspin | Cellar-dwelling Wizards, Mavericks meet up again

[ad_1] Oct 24, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Washington Wizards ahead Kyshawn George (18) drives to the basket as Dallas Mavericks ahead Cooper Flagg (32) defends in the course of the second half at American Airways Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Photographs The underside feeders of the respective convention standings will meet within the nation's capital on Saturday night time when the Washington Wizards host the Dallas Mavericks.

A bit of greater than two weeks into the common season, Washington (1-8) is tied with the Brooklyn Nets for the league's worst report, whereas Dallas (2-7) owns the worst mark within the Western Convention.

The Wizards' solely win got here on Oct. 24, when it gained at Dallas 117-107 because of Kyshawn George's 34 factors. Washington has since dropped seven straight, together with a 148-114 house loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in NBA Cup play on Friday.

"It is on me to get us to play to a greater customary," Wizards coach Brian Keefe stated. "We have got to search out consistency at a better stage. It is nearly stacking good habits. That is crucial factor for us going ahead. Stacking good days, good habits.

"We're stacking good halves, typically three quarters, however we have got to be higher for 48 minutes. That is my accountability."

Veteran CJ McCollum scored a season-high 25 factors in his eighth sport with Washington on Friday after being acquired from the New Orleans Pelicans in July. Serving as a much-needed veteran for the youthful Wizards, the 34-year-old guard is aware of the youthful group remains to be attempting to discover ways to win within the NBA.

"All people desires success instantly, however success takes time," McCollum stated. "It takes sacrifice, dedication, selflessness. I believe we have now all of these issues, however with a view to be good, you've got to have the ability to do the little issues. We're rising in direction of that, but it surely takes actual sport expertise."

One participant having fun with sport expertise is second-year Wizards middle Alex Sarr, who leads the group with a median of 19.1 factors per sport. George follows with 16.8 ppg, however missed the Cleveland sport resulting from an sickness.

Dallas' woes have been much less predictable than Washington's, however the group has been as disappointing as any group within the West by means of the early a part of the season.

The Mavericks are 0-4 in November and have the worst scoring offense within the league (106.0 factors per sport). Dallas trailed by as many as 35 factors in its 118-104 highway setback towards the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, taking part in from behind for the ultimate 45 minutes of the sport.

Coach Jason Kidd's group has been suffering from accidents to star gamers.

Anthony Davis, out for the previous 4 video games due to a left calf pressure, is taken into account day-to-day.

Dereck Energetic II, who hasn't performed since Oct. 26 as he offers with a proper knee damage, may be again subsequent week. Kyrie Irving tore his left ACL in March and is not near returning.

Whereas PJ Washington (15.6 ppg) and first general choose Cooper Flagg (14.1 ppg) attempt to maintain the Mavericks afloat, Kidd believes it is only a unhealthy stretch.

"It simply occurs that we're struggling early," Kidd stated. "Typically it occurs in the course of the season. Typically it occurs on the finish. So we have simply obtained to maintain combating."