Right off the jump, the Dallas Mavericks struggled against Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns. They only produced a measly 16 points in the first quarter and had to play catch-up throughout the remaining three quarters. Coach Jason Kidd did not like how their chances of winning immediately dipped after the game started and had a message for the Cooper Flagg-led team. By the end of it all, they lost the game, 120-111.
Mavs head coach livid at shortcomings
For context, the Mavericks allowed the Suns to pop off for a game-high 36 points to start the game. Flagg and Co. did manage to claw their way back with a 95-point explosion the succeeding quarters but it was just too late. Coach Kidd noticed this and was quick to point out that this was their main problem that needed fixing, via Dwain Price of NBA.com.
“We got off to a slow start. They were physical and we weren’t in that first half, and I thought the group did a better job there in the second half with the physicality. And then getting to the free throw line 44 times, but we got to be able to produce some more threes. We just didn’t do that this evening, but the group fought. We had some good looks that just hit back rim,” Kidd said.
Flagg ended up going to the free throw line 14 times and sank 11 of those shots which added to the Mavs rookie’s 27 points in 36 minutes. He also had the same diagnosis as Coach Kidd and called it out.
“I was aggressive and getting downhill to my spots and trying to play with physicality and was rewarded with getting to the free throw line a little bit, so I thought that was good. Just competing, just fighting and coming together. Obviously, we just didn’t start with great energy. I just felt like we were a little lackadaisical through some parts of the start of the game and we just came together and just fought. We just came together and found ways to fight and climb back into it,” the Mavs rookie declared.
This now marks the eighth-straight loss for the Mavericks. If this losing streak persists, they are likely going to go down to the 13th seed in the Western Conference standings while the Utah Jazz move up. Will they be able to get some wins soon?
