Mavericks Starters Struggle: Key Takeaways from Preseason Loss to Hornets
The Dallas Mavericks faced the Charlotte Hornets in their lone preseason match at the American Airlines Center on Saturday night. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd intended to extend playing time for the starters into the third quarter after a previous game against the OKC Thunder. However, the team’s starters struggled early, falling behind 30-13 just six minutes into the game.
Mavericks Starters Struggle Against Hornets
The Hornets capitalized on their early momentum, hitting six of their first eight three-point attempts. While the Mavericks responded with a 16-0 run, the Hornets ultimately claimed victory with a final score of 120-116, thanks largely to the efforts of the Mavericks’ reserves, who mounted a late comeback effort.
Key Player Performances
- Dereck Lively II: The Mavericks have indicated plans for Lively to shoot more three-pointers this season. However, in this preseason game, his only attempt was unsuccessful, hitting the backboard before missing the rim.
- Miles Bridges: The Hornets forward scored 13 points within the first six and a half minutes, showcasing his ability beyond the arc. His performance may raise concerns for teams facing smaller power forwards who can exploit defensive switches.
- Cooper Flagg: Flagg contributed significantly with 11 points, 4 assists, and 3 steals, despite struggling with five turnovers.
- Kon Knueppel: His overall performance was less impressive, with a late surge in the fourth quarter not masking previous struggles throughout the game.
Looking Ahead
With this preseason matchup, Mavericks’ fans are eager to see how players will develop as the season progresses. The team’s defensive strategies and performance, particularly against adept perimeter shooters, will be vital in upcoming games.
For continuous updates and detailed coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2025-26 season, stay tuned to El-Balad.
