The Dallas Mavericks’ recent surge — five wins in their last six games — has not been driven by a single schematic shift or lineup change. Instead, it has come from clarity: clearer roles, sharper communication, and a growing trust in the moments that matter most. At the center of that evolution has been Anthony Davis, whose leadership has balanced patience with authority as Dallas steadies itself after an uneven start to the season.
Friday’s 119-111 win over the Brooklyn Nets offered a clear snapshot of that leadership. Davis finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three blocks, yet his imprint extended well beyond the box score. Early on, he facilitated and anchored the defense while Cooper Flagg carried the offensive load. Later, when the game tightened, Davis asserted himself.
“I’m not a one-trick pony. I can play both ends of the floor,” Davis said. “When teams are trying to switch in front and deny me the ball, I can still make an effort and impact the game on the defensive end. I started doing that in the first half. Then in the second half, I was just finding my rhythm, being patient throughout the game, and finding my spots.”
Complementary Stars and Simplified Decisions
That patience has become a defining element of Dallas’ late-game execution. Against Brooklyn, Davis scored only four points in the first half, allowing Flagg’s downhill pressure to bend the defense. As the Nets adjusted, Davis recognized the shift and took control.
Head coach Jason Kidd pointed to that balance as a stabilizing force for the group.
“Cooper was really good in the first half. He was attacking, getting into the paint, and I thought he got us going offensively,” Kidd said. “I thought he picked it up again in the second half as well. When one guy is going, you tend to lean on him. We leaned on AD in the second half, and the game became a little easier for us.”
The result was a fourth quarter that felt less frantic than many of Dallas’ previous close games — a product of knowing exactly where the ball needed to go.
Defense as the Non-Negotiable Standard
While Davis’ offensive takeover drew attention, his defensive presence remained the foundation. Kidd emphasized that Dallas’ margin for error narrows without Davis setting the tone on that end.
“He’s huge for us,” Kidd said. “As much as we look at him on the offensive end, defensively we need him to block shots, come up with steals, and change shots. The next step is securing the rebound, and I thought the group did a really good job with that.”
Davis’ defensive activity was constant — contesting shots, directing traffic, and closing possessions. For a team that has played a league-high 19 clutch games, those details have become essential rather than optional.
Anthony Davis: “Winning Trumps Everything”
As Dallas has begun to stack results, Davis has been clear about what has changed internally. The improvement, he said, has come less from talent and more from collective commitment.
“Defensively, we’re talking more,” Davis said. “Offensively, that’s probably where we’ve grown the most. Our transition defense has gotten way better, and when we’re not giving up transition points, it helps everything.
We’re moving the basketball and playing free. No one cares who scores. We’re just trying to make the right play. We encourage each other, even when shots don’t fall. Everyone is accepting that winning trumps everything.”
That message has resonated throughout the rotation. Naji Marshall, who continues to fill multiple roles, echoed that sentiment when reflecting on the team’s growth.
“Just competing, playing as a team, playing basketball the right way,” Marshall said. “We’re not perfect, but that pretty much sums it up — just playing hard and playing for one another.”
Setting the Example Amid Adversity
Davis’ influence has extended beyond game nights, particularly as injuries have reshaped the Mavericks’ frontcourt. With Dereck Lively II sidelined for the season and Daniel Gafford managing ankle issues, Davis has shouldered extended minutes at center without hesitation.
“We play basketball. Injuries are part of the game,” Davis said. “Obviously, it sucks to lose a guy who’s such a big part of our team on both ends of the floor.
Our job is to continue to play and figure it out until we get healthy. Just keep stacking wins.”
Cooper Flagg, whose early-game aggression has often set the tone, credited Davis for providing a blueprint on how to manage moments within a game.
“He’s one of the best players at his position of all time,” Flagg said. “He understands the game incredibly well. He knows when to pick his spots, when to attack, when he’s getting doubled, and where everyone is on the floor.
Whatever he’s doing out there, he’s just being himself. He keeps it simple. I trust him to make the right play every time — whether that’s going to score or finding an open teammate.”
A Steady Compass Going Forward
Davis has averaged 20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 11 games this season. He is listed as questionable for Monday’s matchup against the Utah Jazz due to a left calf contusion, a reminder that Dallas’ recent momentum remains closely tied to his presence.
Still, the foundation has been established. In a season defined by narrow margins and constant adjustment, the Mavericks have found stability through Davis’ approach — measured when needed, forceful when required, and unwavering in its emphasis on winning above all else.
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