The Dallas Mavericks returned home still processing the lessons from a costly overtime loss in Utah, where a historic night from Cooper Flagg was undone by late-game execution issues.

Dallas surrendered an eight-point lead in the final four minutes of regulation Monday and was outscored 11-4 in overtime in a 140-133 loss to the Jazz. The defeat dropped the Mavericks to 10-17 entering Thursday’s home matchup against the Detroit Pistons.

“I feel like we could have executed a lot better in overtime,” P.J. Washington said. “Their pace kind of got to us. I think they kind of threw a different look at us.”

Flagg scored a career-high 42 points, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach the 40-point mark, but Utah slowed Dallas late by forcing turnovers and shrinking the floor.

“They made baskets, and we didn’t,” coach Jason Kidd said. “We had some good looks that just didn’t go down, and they capitalized.”

As Dallas looks to respond, availability remains a central storyline.

Injury Questions Shape the Dallas Mavericks’ Outlook

Anthony Davis remains listed as questionable with a left calf contusion after missing the Utah game. He went through a full practice Wednesday and was also on the court during shootaround earlier in the week, but his status remains uncertain entering Thursday.

Davis has averaged 20.0 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 11 games this season, and his presence looms large with Dallas continuing to manage frontcourt depth.

Brandon Williams is also questionable with right Achilles soreness after sitting out in Utah. He practiced fully Wednesday, keeping open the possibility of returning to the lineup. Williams has averaged 10.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 24 games.

D’Angelo Russell is trending toward a return. Initially listed as questionable with an illness, he has since been upgraded to probable on most injury rundowns, with the expectation he will dress against Detroit. Russell has averaged 11.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists in 21 games.

Daniel Gafford returned Monday after missing time with an ankle issue and played on a 15- to 17-minute restriction in Utah. His workload continues to be monitored, though he is no longer listed on the injury report. Gafford has averaged 8.5 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.4 blocks in 16 games.

Caleb Martin has fallen out of the rotation, while Jaden Hardy has not factored in much as minutes have tightened.

Detroit Pistons Present Immediate Test

The Mavericks will again be without several long-term absences. Kyrie Irving remains sidelined while recovering from ACL surgery, while Danté Exum and Dereck Lively II are out for the season.

Those limitations will be tested against a Detroit team that arrives with the NBA’s best record in the Eastern Conference. The Pistons are second in the league in field-goal defense and rank among the top teams at forcing turnovers, an area Dallas identified as a problem in Utah.

Detroit also controlled the paint in a 122-110 win over the Mavericks last month in Mexico City.

“You got to match their physicality,” Kidd said. “They’re going to hit you on the offensive end and the defensive end. So we’ve got to embrace that and protect the paint.”

Tipoff between the Pistons and Mavericks is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday at American Airlines Center.

Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors