Mavericks Struggle From Beyond the Arc in Loss to Suns
Dallas, TX – , the Dallas Mavericks faced a tough shooting night, particularly from three-point range, in a loss to the Phoenix Suns. Through three quarters, the Mavericks had connected on just one three-pointer as a team, putting them on pace to potentially challenge the NBA record for fewest three-pointers made in a game.
The team’s struggles from distance are particularly noteworthy given the recent performance of rookie Cooper Flagg. Flagg has been on a historic scoring streak, drawing attention to his offensive capabilities. However, even Flagg’s contributions weren’t enough to overcome the Mavericks’ overall shooting woes against the Suns. Details of Flagg’s specific performance in this game were not immediately available, but his recent form has been a bright spot for the team.
The Mavericks’ difficulties extend beyond just three-point shooting. The team currently ranks near the bottom of the league in overall shooting percentage, and their offensive struggles have been a consistent theme throughout the season. This poor performance comes after the NBA trade deadline on , where teams across the league made moves to improve their rosters. ESPN recently tiered all 30 NBA teams ahead of the deadline, assessing their strengths and weaknesses, but it’s unclear how the Mavericks were positioned in those rankings.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding the Mavericks is the emergence of another rookie, Kon Knueppel. Knueppel is reportedly on the verge of breaking the NBA rookie record for three-pointers made. While his performance against the Suns wasn’t detailed in available reports, his overall season has been marked by impressive shooting from beyond the arc. The New York Post has been tracking Knueppel’s progress and calculating the odds of him surpassing the record.
The broader NBA landscape is also shifting. The Detroit Pistons have recently surged to the top of the league’s power rankings, according to NBA.com’s Week 15 rankings. This rise has surprised many analysts, and it highlights the competitive nature of the league this season. The Mavericks, however, are not currently among the top-ranked teams, and their struggles on the court are preventing them from climbing the standings.
The Mavericks’ current situation raises questions about their long-term prospects. While Flagg and Knueppel offer hope for the future, the team needs to address its overall shooting deficiencies if it hopes to contend for a playoff spot. The team’s performance in the remaining games of the season will be crucial in determining whether they can turn things around.
The game against the Suns served as a stark reminder of the Mavericks’ offensive challenges. The team’s inability to consistently knock down shots from three-point range is hindering their ability to compete with the league’s top teams. As the season progresses, the Mavericks will need to find a way to improve their shooting efficiency if they want to make a push for the playoffs.
Player statistics from the Mavericks vs. Suns game on are available via MajorWager, offering a detailed breakdown of individual performances. However, the overall narrative remains focused on the Mavericks’ team-wide shooting struggles.
