What was already shaping up as a difficult night for the Dallas Mavericks took a sharp turn less than six minutes into the game.
Head coach Jason Kidd was ejected early in the first quarter of Saturday’s matchup at the United Center, and the Mavericks — already shorthanded — could not recover in a 125-107 loss to the Chicago Bulls.
The loss dropped the Mavericks to 14-25 overall, including 4-15 on the road. Dallas has also fallen to 4-15 in games without Anthony Davis and is 3-8 over its last 11 games, reflecting the uphill climb the team continues to face amid injuries and rotation instability.
Chicago improved to 18-20, snapping a three-game losing streak behind a balanced offensive attack and sustained pressure in transition.
Anthony Davis Absence Continues To Reshape Dallas Mavericks
Saturday’s loss came as the Mavericks continued to adjust without Davis, who is sidelined indefinitely after suffering ligament damage to his left hand late in Thursday’s loss to Utah. An MRI confirmed the injury Friday morning, and Davis is seeking multiple medical opinions as he determines next steps.
Before the game, Kidd made it clear the Mavericks would not attempt to replace Davis’ production with a single player.
“We’re not looking to replace AD,” Kidd said. “It’s got to be a group effort — the next man up and then the next man up. We’ll miss AD while he is out, but we’ve had injuries this season, so this isn’t something new.”
Winning without Davis has proven difficult. His absence removes Dallas’ most impactful rebounder, rim protector and interior scoring presence, leaving little margin for error on both ends of the floor.
Despite being sidelined, Davis remained engaged around the team. The Chicago native was present during shootaround at the United Center, wearing a sling to support his wrapped left hand and offering encouragement to teammates.
Jason Kidd Ejection Alters Early Game Flow
The pivotal moment came with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter, when Kidd attempted to challenge a defensive goaltending call that went against Max Christie. The Bulls inbounded the ball before the challenge could be initiated, leading to a heated exchange between Kidd and referee Scott Foster and ultimately two technical fouls and an automatic ejection.
Lead assistant coach Frank Vogel stepped into the head coaching role for the remainder of the game and explained how the sequence unfolded from Dallas’ perspective.
“We were trying to challenge the play,” Vogel said. “They inbounded the ball before we could, and we believed we still had the right to challenge. Jason and Scott got into it over that situation, and that ultimately led to the ejection.”
The Mavericks trailed 18-13 at the time of Kidd’s departure and finished the quarter down 36-28, never fully regaining control after the abrupt disruption on the sideline.
The NBA’s pool report later clarified the procedural ruling behind the sequence. Foster said a goaltending violation “was called during live play,” and that a whistle occurred only after Dallas had already inbounded the ball.
According to the report, the Mavericks did attempt to challenge the call, but “the window closes for replay challenge once the thrower-in is given the ball,” even though a timeout was granted afterward.
Foster also explained the disciplinary action, stating that Kidd “used profanity toward an official on two separate occasions and was given a technical foul for each occasion,” resulting in the automatic ejection.
Chicago Bulls Control Tempo and Break Game Open
Chicago dictated the pace from the opening tip, stretching its lead to 66-55 by halftime and steadily widening the margin after intermission. The Bulls scored 30 or more points in three of the four quarters and finished the night shooting 51.5% from the field.
Coby White led Chicago with 22 points, while Ayo Dosunmu added 20 off the bench. Nikola Vucevic recorded 15 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks, and Matas Buzelis contributed 15 points. Tre Jones, Isaac Okoro, and Kevin Huerter each scored 13 points as Chicago placed seven players in double figures.
Transition defense proved decisive. Chicago outscored Dallas 38-8 on the fast break, repeatedly turning turnovers and long rebounds into immediate offense. The Bulls led 94-79 after three quarters and pushed the margin to as many as 27 points early in the fourth.
“You’re not going to win too many games doing that,” Vogel said. “It starts with offensive execution. There were too many lost possessions that led directly to fast breaks for them. Then there was too little resistance when we were trying to get back in transition.”
Ryan Nembhard Points to Defensive Breakdowns
Ryan Nembhard, who returned to the starting lineup and led Dallas with 16 points and six assists, pointed to transition defense and rebounding as the primary areas where the game slipped away.
“Probably transition defense,” Nembhard said. “I can’t say too much until I watch the film, but transition defense and rebounding are what come to mind right now.”
Nembhard acknowledged the challenge of playing without Anthony Davis and P.J. Washington.
“It’s tough,” he said. “Those guys are super important to our team and do a lot for us. We’ve got to figure it out. I don’t know how long they’ll be out, but we have to find other ways to win.”
Despite the result, Nembhard said it felt good to be back running the offense.
“It felt good,” he said. “I’m just trying to be aggressive, take whatever comes, and make the most of the opportunity. I just would’ve liked to win this one.”
Dallas Mavericks Players Downplay Coaching Disruption
While Kidd’s ejection altered the dynamic of the night, players were careful not to frame it as the reason for the loss.
“He’s our leader and knows the game at a high level, but we trust our coaching staff,” Nembhard said. “That wasn’t the reason we lost. It was on us. Transition defense and rebounding were the issues.”
Moussa Cissé echoed that sentiment while reflecting on playing extended minutes off the bench.
“It changed a lot,” Cissé said. “It was my first time playing without the head coach like that. But again, we don’t control that. We just have to go out and do our job the best way possible.”
Asked whether anything felt different with Vogel leading the bench, Cissé said his focus remained unchanged.
“For me, not really,” he said. “I just executed what the coach asked. I didn’t think about who was coaching. I was just trying to win the game.”
Bench Minutes Highlight Depth Challenges
With Dallas short-handed, Vogel leaned on several reserves and recent G League call-ups, including Cissé and Miles Kelly. Cissé credited his time in the G League for keeping him prepared for moments like Saturday.
“It prepared me a lot,” Cissé said. “You go down there with confidence, work on things you need to improve, grow, and then bring that energy back here.”
Cissé was especially encouraged by Kelly’s opportunity.
“I was really happy for him,” Cissé said. “He works hard, and he’s a good player. I want to see him do well. I was happy seeing him out there.”
Return to Dallas in Search for Stability
Dallas never led and struggled to generate sustained defensive stops after Kidd’s ejection, a difficult task given the personnel absences and Chicago’s pace.
The Mavericks now return home to begin a four-game homestand Monday against the Brooklyn Nets. Kidd will be back on the sideline, but with Davis and Washington still unavailable, Dallas continues to search for cohesion and consistency as it navigates injuries, lineup changes, and a demanding stretch of the schedule.
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