Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd addressed the team’s performance following a 113-107 defeat to the Sacramento Kings on Saturday at Golden 1 Center. Kidd highlighted Russell Westbrook’s historic night: “Russ was really good this afternoon, shot the three well, ran the team. He did everything that he was supposed to to help his team win.”
Kidd pointed to early turnovers as a key factor in falling behind: “I thought we just came out a little flat… We just dug a big hole,” he said, referencing Sacramento’s fast start that gave them a double-digit lead.
The coach explained a halftime lineup adjustment aimed at closing the gap: “That group was great, cut the 15-point lead down to three. And then once we had the sub, then it went back up to 18. The change gave us the opportunity to get back in the game.”
Kidd offered insight into Cooper Flagg’s turnaround in the second half: “He did not get off to a good start… I thought he got going there in the third quarter… He made the adjustment at halftime and put us in a position to get back in the game.”
Regarding halftime instructions, Kidd said he spoke to the team as a whole: “It was to the group, not to him. Just understand this road trip started in Philly. No excuse, gotta play the schedule… We came out flat, and this is something that we’ll look back on if we have another two o’clock game.”
Sacramento leaned on perimeter shooting, making 17-of-38 three-pointers, with Keon Ellis and Russell Westbrook each scoring 21 points. Maxime Raynaud added 19 points, while Dennis Schroder contributed 10 points and five assists off the bench. Rookie Nique Clifford provided eight points and nine rebounds.
Dallas cut the deficit to 111-107 with nine seconds remaining, but DeMar DeRozan converted two free throws to seal the victory. Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with 23 points, six rebounds, and five assists, though five turnovers hindered the team’s comeback effort. P.J. Washington added 17 points and four blocks, while Klay Thompson chipped in 14 points, hitting four three-pointers off the bench.
The loss dropped Dallas to 21-21, marking four losses in their last five games. Sacramento improved to 8-23 and extended their winning streak over Dallas to four consecutive meetings. The Mavericks will visit Portland on Monday, while the Kings travel to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Sunday.
