The Dallas Mavericks return to American Airlines Center on Friday night for their second NBA Cup matchup of the season as they host the Los Angeles Clippers. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CST, with Dallas looking to build on Wednesday’s best shooting performance of the year while addressing fourth-quarter turnovers that continue to undermine promising stretches of play.
Dallas enters the matchup at 3–9 after a 123–114 loss to the Phoenix Suns that showed both genuine progress and lingering trouble. The Mavericks shot 13-of-20 in the fourth quarter and finally saw rhythm return from long range, led by Klay Thompson’s most productive performance in a Dallas uniform. Thompson scored 19 points, made six three-pointers on 16 attempts, and played 31 minutes, generating the spacing that fueled a late comeback push.
Thompson said the home crowd helped power the fourth-quarter surge.
“The energy was great,” Thompson said. “When we cut it to four points, I thought our fans did a tremendous job giving us a boost. We have to give them something to cheer for on a nightly basis. We’re going to put our best foot forward.”
Despite the shooting, turnovers decided the game. Dallas committed 21 giveaways, including six in the fourth quarter, resulting in 31 Phoenix points. Cooper Flagg, who finished with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks, said the volume of mistakes made the comeback unsustainable.
“It’s very difficult. It’s very difficult to win games when you turn over the ball that many times,” Flagg said. “So that’s something we have to clean up for sure.”
Jason Kidd centered Thursday’s practice on the late-game decision-making that has cost Dallas repeatedly.
“Fourth quarters, we’re 28th in turnovers,” Kidd said. “We’re turning the ball over way too many times… We talked about how can we be patient. We don’t have to force anything.”
The Clippers enter the game at 3–8 after a 130–116 loss to Denver, where Nikola Jokić scored 55 points on 23 shots. Los Angeles still received 23 points from James Harden and 22 from Jordan Miller but remains without Bradley Beal and Kawhi Leonard.
Kidd emphaszed Harden’s shot creation remains at the center of the Clippers’ offense, noting that even with injuries limiting Los Angeles’ roster, the combination of Harden’s playmaking and Ivica Zubac’s interior presence still shapes their entire approach. Kidd emphasized that Dallas must prepare for Harden’s ability to manipulate defenses while also accounting for Zubac’s efficiency as a rolling, screening, and offensive-rebounding threat.
“Well, they have some injuries, but when you talk about Harden — he’s one of the best, being able to find teammates but also to score and shoot the three. Understanding the physicality of the team. And then Zubac in the middle — he’s seeing more double teams this year than he did last year, but he’s improved again. And he’s a dominant center in this league. So we gotta keep him out of the paint and keep him from scoring, make it tough. And then we gotta be able to keep Harden out of the paint and make it tough on him.”
How to Watch Mavericks vs. Clippers
Date: Friday, Nov. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. CST
Location: American Airlines Center — Dallas, TX
TV: KFAA-29, MavsTV Stream
Radio: 97.1 FM The Eagle; 99.1 FM Zona MX
Live Stats: NBA.com
Social Media Updates: @GrantAfseth
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report
P.J. Washington: Questionable (Left Shoulder Strain)
Anthony Davis: Questionable (Left Calf)
Dereck Lively II: Questionable (Right Knee Sprain)
Kyrie Irving: Out (Left Knee)
Danté Exum: Out (Left Hand Fracture)**
Jason Kidd described the team’s injury picture on Thursday.
“PJ’s questionable for tomorrow. Lively is questionable. Davis is questionable. Kai’s out. Exum is out,” Kidd said. “AD is progressing… D-Live continues to improve.”
Washington had scored six points in six minutes before exiting Wednesday’s game. Davis is averaging 20.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists in seven appearances for Dallas this season. Lively has averaged 9.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists.
Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report
Bradley Beal: Out (Hip Surgery — Season)
Kawhi Leonard: Out (Right Foot Sprain)
Klay Thompson Delivers Breakthrough Performance
Klay Thompson’s performance against the Suns provided the clearest offensive spark Dallas has seen in nearly two weeks. His six made threes matched the Mavericks’ need for a high-volume perimeter threat, and his 31 minutes represented his highest workload of the season.
Kidd emphasized Thompson’s impact on team spacing.
“When he’s making them, it’s big because it gives space for everybody else,” Kidd said. “And we need him to make shots.”
Thompson said he has embraced the challenge of guiding the team through an injury-heavy stretch.
“I’m enjoying it,” Thompson said. “I get to see the game develop, see where to pick my spots… My goal this year is to be the most consistent presence in the locker room.”
He added that the turnover total must change if Dallas wants to close games.
“We gotta be more sure with the ball,” Thompson said. “We have to trust the pass more. We’ve really had success when the ball zips around the perimeter and then we attack the defense.”
Cooper Flagg Showing Rapid Two-Way Growth
Cooper Flagg continues to shoulder responsibilities that exceed typical first-year expectations. Over his last five games, he has averaged 17.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.2 blocks while guarding All-Star-level scorers on a nightly basis.
Flagg said the workload is challenging but valuable.
“It’s just learning,” Flagg said. “It’s a lot of learning experiences, and I’m blessed to be where I am… There’s some growing pains — way too many turnovers and that sort of thing.”
He said his shoulder issue, aggravated early in Wednesday’s game, is manageable.
“I’m a little banged up,” Flagg said. “It’s a lot of games… I’ll be all right. It’s nothing I can’t play through.”
Brandon Williams, who recorded 17 points, five rebounds, nine assists and three steals against Phoenix, said Flagg’s defensive playmaking continues to anchor Dallas’ effort.
“That’s what we lean on him for,” Williams said. “Other night he was guarding Giannis — just little stuff like that. Goes a long way.”
Dereck Lively II Nearing a Return
Dereck Lively II participated in on-court work Friday morning and sounded optimistic about returning after missing nine straight games with a right knee sprain. His presence has been especially missed on the defensive end, where Dallas has lacked consistent backline structure.
He said the diagnosis only became clear after swelling subsided and imaging returned.
“It took time to get the results back,” Lively said. “We can’t lie to y’all. I had to listen to my body.”
He also outlined the areas he believes Dallas must improve.
“Transition defense, take care of the ball, limit turnovers, be aggressive, move the ball,” Lively said. “Find the best play, not the first play.”
Lively said he has appreciated the effort of Moussa Cissé, who has provided energy, rim protection and verticality in his absence.
“Moussa plays so hard,” Lively said. “I love playing with him. He’s everywhere. He’s fearless.”
What’s at Stake
Friday marks Dallas’ second NBA Cup Group Play game after last week’s loss in Memphis. The Mavericks are looking for their first Cup win, improved execution, and potentially the return of multiple key players.
Thompson said he believes the crowd is ready to support a turnaround.
“I can feel them ready to rally behind us,” Thompson said. “They have been through a lot, so we wanted to give them a great product on the floor.”
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