It’s no secret the 2025-26 season hasn’t gone according to plan for the Dallas Mavericks. Things look and feel a lot differently than they did going into the season.
The Mavericks fell to 23-46 on the season with their 129-111 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, a loss that could prove extremely relevant for the pair of lottery teams, as New Orleans and Dallas now have the same record. Despite the loss, it was Naji Marshall who shined again, posting 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on 12-of-24 shooting.
In a season full of disappointing results, injuries, trades and more, it’s been Marshall that has been Dallas’ bright spot alongside Cooper Flagg. His 32-point outing comes a day after he led the Mavs to a 130-120 win over the Cavaliers with a 25-point, seven-assist performance.
“The character, when you talk about Naji, just he loves to play the game,” coach Jason Kidd said after Monday’s loss. “He competes, he wants to win and whatever it takes for his team, tonight, he did that. He kept playing no matter what the score is, he still believed that we had a chance to win and you could see that in tonight’s game.”
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Count Flagg among those happy to have Marshall along for the ride this season. The veteran has been a consistent presence for Dallas’ rookie phenom, so much so that the Mavericks held onto Marshall at the trade deadline and he appears to be a part of Dallas’ plans to build around Flagg.
“I appreciate everything about Naji,” Flagg said after the game. “He’s just such a good basketball player, all-around, consistent. He shows up every single night and is just a true professional.”
Beyond the fact the Mavericks have been in a nosedive with 20 losses in 24 games, the schedule-maker hasn’t been terribly kind to Dallas, either. Monday’s game in New Orleans wrapped up a rare stretch of four games in five nights.
Marshall, who is averaging 15.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists this season, certainly isn’t complaining.
“I’m unbelievably blessed to be in this position to have this opportunity,” he said. “So take full advantage. My love for the game, my just to compete, game’s never over until that last buzzer sounds. When I’m out there, i just want to show how grateful I am for the opportunity with just my play, how hard I play.”
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