Quentin Grimes erupted for 20 points off the bench, including 14 in the fourth quarter, to lead the Dallas Mavericks to a 113-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Despite missing their leading scorer Luka Doncic for the second straight game, the Mavericks had eight players score in double figures to seal an impressive team win.
Doncic, who ranks fifth in the NBA with 28.9 points per game, sat out due to a left heel contusion. The Mavericks didn’t miss a beat, as Klay Thompson scored 16 points, while Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie each contributed 15. Irving, returning from a one-game absence due to a sore shoulder, found his rhythm late after struggling early.
Grimes stole the show in the fourth quarter, hitting consecutive 3-pointers and converting three free throws after being fouled behind the arc. His surge helped Dallas secure their sixth win in eight games without Doncic this season.
Norman Powell led all scorers with 28 points, but it wasn’t enough to lift the Clippers, who struggled offensively. James Harden and Kevin Porter Jr. added 19 points each, while Ivica Zubac recorded his 19th double-double of the season with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Irving overcame a slow start, going just 1 of 10 before hitting a critical second-chance 3-pointer late in the first half. From there, he found his groove, shooting 5 of 15 the rest of the way and connecting on two 3-pointers.
The victory capped a split in the two-game series with the Clippers and demonstrated the Mavericks’ ability to overcome adversity while maintaining their spot near the top of the Western Conference standings. Let’s provide a grade for every one of the Mavericks’ players for their performance tonight.
Quentin Grimes: B+
Stats: 20 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 7-8 FG, 3-4 3PT, 3-3 FT, +12, 25 MIN
Grimes was sensational off the bench, scoring 20 points, including a dominant 14-point fourth quarter. His efficient shooting (7-8 FG, 3-4 3PT, 3-3 FT) and rebounding (7 boards) helped close out the game. His contributions were vital to the Mavericks’ late-game surge, and his performance warrants a high grade.
Dereck Lively II: B+
Stats: 11 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 5-6 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-1 FT, +13, 28 MIN
Lively was a key contributor in the win, finishing with a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. He also added 5 assists, 2 steals, and a block, showcasing his versatility. His ability to impact multiple areas of the game, including defense and playmaking, earned him a solid grade.
Klay Thompson: B-
Stats: 16 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 6-9 FG, 4-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, +14, 24 MIN
Thompson provided a steady offensive presence with 16 points on 6-9 shooting, including 4-6 from three. Though he had minimal impact in other areas (1 rebound, 1 assist), his efficient shooting kept the offense flowing, especially in the first half. His limited all-around contributions keep him just shy of an A-grade.
Spencer Dinwiddie: B-
Stats: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 4-13 FG, 1-6 3PT, 6-6 FT, +11, 29 MIN
Dinwiddie scored 15 points and dished out 6 assists, but his shooting was inefficient (4-13 FG, 1-6 3PT). Despite his struggles with consistency, his playmaking and free-throw shooting (6-6 FT) were solid, and he played an important role in the offense, especially in the absence of Doncic.
Dwight Powell: B-
Stats: 13 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 5 PF, 4-5 FG, 0-0 3PT, 5-7 FT, +3, 19 MIN
Powell delivered a solid performance with 13 points and 6 rebounds in just 19 minutes. He was efficient in his shooting (4-5 FG), although he only contributed 1 block defensively. His active presence in the paint helped the Mavericks maintain control throughout the game.
Daniel Gafford: B-
Stats: 13 PTS, 6 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 5 PF, 4-5 FG, 0-0 3PT, 5-7 FT, +3, 19 MIN
Gafford made an efficient contribution off the bench with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. He was a perfect 4-5 from the field and 5-7 from the free-throw line, showing good scoring efficiency. His defense (1 block) could have been more impactful, but he was solid in his role.
Kyrie Irving: C+
Stats: 15 PTS, 3 REB, 6 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 6-25 FG, 2-9 3PT, 1-1 FT, +12, 38 MIN
Irving had a rough shooting night, finishing with 15 points on 6-25 shooting (2-9 from three). Despite his struggles, he still managed 6 assists and 3 rebounds, contributing to the offense in other ways. He found his rhythm late in the game but was inefficient overall.
Naji Marshall: C+
Stats: 12 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 4-8 FG, 2-3 3PT, 2-2 FT, +6, 21 MIN
Marshall was active off the bench, scoring 12 points and adding 3 rebounds and 2 assists. His shooting was efficient (4-8 FG, 2-3 3PT), and he also contributed defensively with a steal. However, his overall impact was somewhat limited, and his grade reflects a solid, if unspectacular, outing.
P.J. Washington: C+
Stats: 10 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO, 2 PF, 4-11 FG, 2-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +6, 37 MIN
Washington recorded 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 1 steal in 37 minutes. He had some solid contributions but struggled with his shot (4-11 FG, 2-5 3PT). His playmaking was minimal, and while he helped on the boards, his offensive efficiency hindered his overall grade.
Maxi Kleber: C
Stats: 1 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-3 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, +3, 17 MIN
Kleber had a quiet game, finishing with just 1 point and 2 rebounds in 17 minutes. He struggled with his shot, going 0-3 from the field and 0-2 from three. While he did contribute a steal and an assist, his lack of scoring or significant impact on either end of the floor places him at a C grade.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 1 MIN
Prosper played just 1 minute and did not record any stats. His brief appearance did not impact the game, so no grade is assigned.
Kessler Edwards: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 1 MIN
Edwards also played 1 minute and did not contribute statistically. As with Prosper, his time on the court did not affect the outcome, and no grade is assigned.
Jazian Gortman: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 1 MIN
Gortman logged 1 minute without any notable contributions. He is not graded due to his minimal role in the game.
