Jason Kidd placed the focus squarely on rebounding and execution after the Dallas Mavericks’ 102-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday at the American Airlines Center.
He opened his postgame availability by assuming responsibility for the final possession, which ended in a contested Klay Thompson three. “Take full responsibility of that last shot… we got to get better. So I got to drop a better play,” Kidd said, adding that the look Thompson took was the action they were seeking.
Kidd confirmed that P.J. Washington’s late-game exit stemmed from a back issue. “He got hit in the back and uh couldn’t return,” he said, leaving Dallas without one of its key rebounders in the closing minutes.
The game featured several chippy stretches, including contact on Cooper Flagg that led to a cluster of players gathering near midcourt. “Just trying to protect one another… it happens,” Kidd said. “A lot of talking, that’s about it.”
Kidd acknowledged Flagg’s edge in a physical game, noting how the rookie’s aggression carried over from Friday’s 29-point performance. “I thought he brought great energy for a back to back… he was a big reason why we were in the game,” Kidd said. Flagg finished with 12 points and seven rebounds in 33 minutes.
Thompson powered Dallas’ scoring with a season-high 22 points and six made threes, but the Mavericks were unable to overcome their deficit on the glass. Memphis secured 61 rebounds to Dallas’ 41 and generated 23 offensive boards. “Having given up 23 offensive rebounds is, you know, it’s tough. Can’t win in this league if you give up that many rebounds,” Kidd said.
Kidd highlighted Zach Edey’s interior presence as a major factor in the result. “He dominated dominated us… everyone chipped in and dominated us,” Kidd said. Edey collected 15 rebounds along with 12 points, posting his first double-double since returning from ankle surgery.
Dallas also saw Brandon Williams contribute 18 points while Washington added 15 before his injury, but the Mavericks faltered late as Memphis closed on a 6-0 run ignited by Santi Aldama’s left-handed drive.
Aldama scored 20 points to lead the Grizzlies, while Cam Spencer delivered 15 of his 17 after halftime, helping Memphis earn consecutive victories for the first time this season.
Kidd said Dallas must respond with greater physicality as a challenging stretch approaches. “We had to be physical and we weren’t,” he said.
The Mavericks begin a four-game road trip Monday in Miami, while the Grizzlies return home to face Denver.
