Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reflected on his team’s 110-102 defeat to the Houston Rockets on Monday night at Toyota Center. Kidd emphasized the importance of executing the game plan despite missing key players like Anthony Davis.
Kidd praised P.J. Washington’s performance, noting the forward’s offensive growth and ability to score in one-on-one situations.
The coach acknowledged missed opportunities in the closing minutes. “We had some good looks. We had a lob that turned into a turnover. We had some open looks that just didn’t go down for us,” he said, pointing to the team’s struggles late in the game.
Rebounding remained a challenge for Dallas, with Kidd highlighting the need for collective effort. “Everyone has got to be a committee. We can be small at times. Everybody has to box out. In this league, everybody crashes,” he explained.
Despite the loss, Kidd identified positives, including Washington’s ability to navigate Houston’s zone defense. “I thought PJ did an incredible job when they played zone. He’s playing both sides. He’s playing we’re asking him to guard everybody. He’s doing it,” Kidd said.
Kidd also addressed the psychological side of shooting struggles. “You just got to keep playing. You got to keep taking the shots. You got to keep making the right plays. And no matter make or miss, if you make the right plays, good things will happen,” he said.
The coach praised rookie Cooper Flagg for his effort despite minor injuries. “He’s a tough kid. He’s fighting, you know, with the shoulder injury. So, but he comes out, he’s ready to play. It just shows his toughness and he’s about winning,” Kidd said.
Dallas will return home to face New Orleans on Wednesday, aiming to rebound from a 2-5 start. Kidd stressed the importance of learning from the loss and maintaining focus as the season progresses.
