Caleb Martin intercepted a pass and had a clear lane to the basket midway through the third quarter of Thursday’s blowout win over the Utah Jazz.
With no threat of a contest by a defender, Martin threw down a two-handed reverse dunk and sprinted back on defense without much reaction. Cooper Flagg, sitting next to Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban, could only smile as his veteran teammate shined in his absence.
The Mavericks have been decimated by injuries for a second consecutive season, but the recent lack of available bodies has led to an increased role for Martin.
Martin received his first start in a Mavericks uniform, in place of Flagg, during Thursday’s blowout win over the Utah Jazz and played a significant role on both ends of the floor. He had 14 points, five rebounds and six assists with three steals, which marked his sixth career game of at least 10 points, five rebounds and five assists.
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The night before, Martin came off the bench and provided the Mavericks with a spark in their comeback efforts against the Denver Nuggets. He finished with 15 points, the most he’s ever scored as a Maverick, along with four rebounds, three assists and three steals.
The final result was another loss, but Martin’s assertiveness and ability to make impact plays served as a reminder of the two-way versatility he offers when fully healthy.
“It was one of the more fun games I’ve played since I’ve been here,” Martin said. “I would say probably the best offensive game I’ve had, just fun to be out there and be part of the competition and make an impact.”
Dallas’ hopes to stay healthy this season have gone awry, especially in January, with injuries to Flagg, Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Even illness has crept into the locker room, affecting Max Christie and Brandon Williams.
Flagg is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s rematch against the Jazz, but Washington and Christie will likely return because they are listed as probable. Regardless of the circumstances, Martin is an example of the “next man up” mentality that Jason Kidd often preaches, and he’s made the most of his recent uptick in minutes.
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“He’s put in the work. He’s been patient,” Kidd said after Thursday’s game. “You can see that is paying off for him, not just tonight, but the last couple of games. His energy that he’s had has sparked us in getting back into the game or continuing to build on a lead. We need that from him and in a starting role from him. I thought he did a great job.”
Martin is averaging 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals over the last two contests, including 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Overall, he’s made 13 of 17 from the field. He also had three steals in consecutive games for the third time in his career. It’s the kind of production the Mavericks envisioned when they acquired him from the Philadelphia 76ers last February in a trade for Quentin Grimes and a 2025 second-round pick.
The Mavericks are a deep team when healthy, especially at Martin’s position. That makes finding a rhythm hard when minutes are hard to come by in a 10-man rotation.
Martin credits his improved play to making faster decisions and improved health.
“Just thinking less. Feeling better,” Martin said. “Just trying to get as much rhythm as I can. … I’m one of the guys who tries to impact as much as I can as quick as I possibly can. It’s not always going to be an offensive mindset first coming into the game so just trying to let the game come to me.”
It hasn’t been the easiest transition for Martin, who arrived in Dallas with a sprained hip. That injury caused the initial trade to be amended, which forced the 76ers to attach a 2030 second-round pick. The pain in Martin’s hip lingered for the rest of the season, which played a part in his 5.4 points average in 14 games. This season, he’s averaging a career-low 2.5 points.
Martin says he feels way better than he did at the start of the season. He said his pop is coming back, evident by his second straight game with a dunk. Wednesday’s throwdown was also a two-handed jam in the third quarter. Nuggets forward Peyton Watson could only watch as Martin soared over him. He also totaled three steals in consecutive games for the third time in his career.
“I think he’s just starting to get his feet back under him,” Dallas forward Naji Marshall said. “He’s being the Caleb we all used to. Proud of him. A lot of people don’t make it back from what he was going through and dealing with, so, just proud to see him out there balling, and I hope he can keep it up cause we need it.”
Before he finished his postgame news conference, Martin was asked to reflect on the last 11 months since he was traded to Dallas and the hurdles he’s had to face thanks to injuries. He smiled through his candid response.
“It’s been tough,” Martin said. “It’s definitely been one of the more tougher years I’ve had, but I’ve been through tougher things in life and at the end of the day, it’s basketball and I’ve been doing this my whole life. I love the game and I’m always up for a challenge. I’ve always figured it out, no matter where I’ve been. I’m gonna continue to do that.”
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