The Dallas Mavericks got back in the win column on November 6, 2026, pulling out a solid 112-100 victory over the Utah Jazz right there in Dallas. It wasn’t a runaway from the jump, but man, that third quarter was a clinic, with Dallas finally putting some distance between themselves and the Jazz, and they never looked back. This was a statement win in the Emirates NBA Cup, and it showed exactly what this squad is capable of.
First Half Scramble, Second Half Surge
Coach Dusty May pretty much laid it all out after the game. He said the first half was a grind. Shots weren’t falling, and Utah was hitting everything, finding gaps in the Mavs’ defense. They were making it a tough one-on-one battle, which is totally their jam, limiting passes and assists. But here’s the kicker: the Mavs stayed in it. May gave huge props to the “effort plays” and “second shots” that kept them from digging a huge hole. Think about that, right? Even when things weren’t clicking, the hustle was absolutely there.
Then, after halftime? Boom. Intensity levels cranked, on-ball pressure went through the roof, and they just wore the Jazz down. May highlighted the bench, saying they were “awesome tonight,” making a “major impact.” He noted that each night might be a little different, but the group that played the majority of the minutes really delivered. That’s huge when your starters aren’t carrying the full load and you’ve got depth stepping up.
P.J. Washington: The Underrated Weapon
Seriously, let’s talk about P.J. Washington. Coach May can’t say enough good things, and honestly, you gotta agree. He needs P.J. to be a three-point shooter for the team, and the guy has a “beautiful shot.” But it’s not just the offense, is it? May pointed out his insane versatility, playing him at the five against San Antonio, the four, or even the three when they want to go big. This dude is a matchup nightmare. He even locked down quick point guards against the Jazz, staying in front and getting deflections. May said P.J. was “really, really good.” The confidence in his shot is exactly what the team needs, and in that tough first half, his buckets were absolutely clutch, preventing a big deficit. That’s a player who shows up when it counts.
Flagg and Irving’s Competitive Edge
And what about Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving in that second half? May admitted he wasn’t sure “what changed” exactly, but you could absolutely feel the energy shift. They just played with “great competitive spirit.” It looked like they “locked in,” almost like they were “on the playground having fun playing basketball.” That physicality, that intensity, whatever it was, they “flipped the switch.” When your stars are having fun and bringing that kind of fire, the whole team feeds off it. That’s the kind of leadership that turns a tight game into a convincing win and makes you a threat night in and night out.
This wasn’t just another W. This game showed some serious grit. Fighting through a rough first half, relying on effort, getting huge contributions from the bench, and watching your key players flip the switch? That’s the kind of performance that builds serious momentum for the season. You want to see that competitive spirit every single night. If Dallas keeps bringing that bench strength and P.J. Washington keeps being *that* guy, they’re going to be a tough out for anyone.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Mavs Moneyball.
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