The Dallas Mavericks executed the play they wanted, got the clean catch they needed, and watched a game-tying layup drop — only to have it wiped away by an offensive foul with 0.7 seconds left in a 113–111 loss to the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at American Airlines Center.
Dallas played without Cooper Flagg, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum, Ryan Nembhard, and Caleb Martin, falling to 4–12 and dropping to 3–9 in clutch games. No other NBA team has more than five clutch losses.
The decisive sequence unfolded moments after New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson split a pair of free throws to put the Knicks ahead 113–111. With no timeouts remaining, P.J. Washington lofted a long inbound pass to Dereck Lively II near midcourt. Lively secured the catch and immediately fired ahead to Brandon Williams, who drove and finished through contact. The arena erupted — until the whistle sounded.
Officials ruled that Williams committed an offensive foul, erasing the game-tying basket and ending the Mavericks’ final chance.
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said the team executed the play exactly as intended.
“Great execution. Great catch,” Kidd said. “Great pass by D Live and back it up to P.J. to be able to do that to D Live, and then for him to catch and then for him to find. Great execution. Tough call. Tough.”
Dallas Mavericks Find Early Spark Behind D’Angelo Russell and Naji Marshall
The Mavericks opened the night slowly, missing their first five shots and falling behind 5–0 before their bench shifted the momentum. D’Angelo Russell checked in midway through the first quarter, immediately pushing the pace and drilling a pull-up three that sparked an 11–0 run.
Russell said he trusted the reads the defense allowed.
“Take what the defense gives me,” Russell said. “My teammates get in the paint and spread out. When I’m open, trust my work.”
Naji Marshall hit three first-quarter threes, including a buzzer-beater that gave Dallas a 25–24 lead heading into the second quarter. He said his rhythm came from simple confidence in his preparation.
“When I’m open, just trust my work,” Marshall said.
Russell and Marshall ultimately combined for 46 points off the bench, giving Dallas consistent scoring while playing without several starters.
New York Knicks Control the Middle Quarters with Physicality and Timely Shooting
The New York Knicks countered in the second quarter with physical play on the glass. Karl-Anthony Towns finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds, while Brunson dictated half-court possessions on his way to 28 points.
Dallas’ most dominant stretch came in the third quarter, when Max Christie, Washington and Lively stabilized the starters long enough for Russell to direct a surge that pushed Dallas ahead by seven. But New York answered behind offensive rebounding and steady shotmaking.
Kidd said Dallas had enough chances to win but failed to finish the key moments.
“We fought to get back in and we never stopped,” Kidd said. “They miss one, we execute. We had good looks. We executed down the stretch, something we’ve had trouble with during the season. We had great looks that didn’t go down. On the other end, we get the miss. We just can’t rebound the ball. The ball bounced their way. Hart comes up with the miss layup or the block and puts it back. The ball bounced their way, but we had great opportunities; we just couldn’t get the freedom.”
Landry Shamet’s Late Threes Lift New York Knicks in the Fourth Quarter
The most pivotal possessions came with the score tied 108–108 and under three minutes left. The New York Knicks extended a possession with consecutive offensive rebounds, giving Landry Shamet the window to hit back-to-back threes — his first makes of the night — pushing New York in front 111–108.
Kidd said Dallas knew New York would be aggressive from behind the arc.
“They’re going to shoot a lot,” Kidd said. “They have shooters — not just Shamet, but Brunson and Bridges. KA puts pressure on you because if he starts making them, he’s pump faking and getting to the midrange. He did that a couple times. We understand they can shoot and are one of the best offensive teams in the league. We gave ourselves a chance to win at home. We just can’t get the ball down the stretch.”
Marshall said Dallas needed to be sharper in the final possessions.
“Mistakes. Nobody’s perfect. Everybody makes them,” Marshall said. “We’ll figure it out.”
When asked about the overturned layup, Marshall said the team could only move on.
“It’s a hard layup,” Marshall said. “Rough call. That’s what it is.”
D’Angelo Russell and Naji Marshall Lead Shorthanded Dallas Mavericks
Despite the loss, Dallas received one of its best combined bench performances of the season. Marshall and Russell each scored 23 points, Christie added 15, Klay Thompson finished with 13, and Lively pulled down 10 rebounds with three blocks.
Russell said every player approached the game with a readiness to contribute.
“Everybody has that mentality — next man up,” Russell said. “Everyone is hungry to play and prove themselves. Some guys not in the lineup trying to insert themselves in. Whatever it takes. Everybody did their parts. We were supposed to get out of there with a win and celebrate as a team.”
Russell also said the absence of Flagg, Dallas’ leading scorer, altered the way opposing defenses played them.
“He’s the number-one pick,” Russell said. “His gravity takes a lot. Teams come in trying to stop him. That allows others to step up and be aggressive. Without him, other guys have to step up.”
Washington said the team still executed well late but could not avoid the final whistle.
“We executed well in the fourth,” Washington said. “We could play better defense, not foul as much. The game ended how it ended. We thought it was an and-one, but it is what it is. Move on to the next.”
Dallas Mavericks Prepare for Another Clutch Test on Friday
The Mavericks now lead the NBA with nine clutch losses, including five in their last ten games. Kidd said the team must continue working through the growing pains of an injury-heavy first month.
“We’ve been in a lot of these,” Kidd said. “We have to learn the value of the ball and execute down the stretch, and it will turn. You go through tough losses, but you stay together. Come tomorrow, come to work, find a way to get better, and get ready for Friday.”
Dallas hosts the New Orleans Pelicans next — a team that already beat the Mavericks earlier this season.