The Dallas Mavericks found themselves in an unlikely position in the Western Conference, 9th place.
Despite being urged to give up the season in Kyrie Irving’s ACL tears, the Dallas Mavericks find themselves in a better position than expected.
It looked like the Mavs could possibly break out of the top 10 amid a push expected from the Phoenix Suns and even the Blazers on the Portland Trail. But neither of these things happened. They briefly fell to 11th place due to the game and now they’re in ninth place.
Inspired by Anthony Davis’ return, the Mavericks won the game once again and overtook the plunging Sacramento Kings.
Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison has been heavily and correctly criticised following the decision to trade Luka Donsic.
One of the decisions he made last summer is to at least pay off. Harrison approved the Dallas Mavericks to sign Naj Marshall in free agency.
For each ESPN, the Mavericks signed a three-year deal with the New Orleans Pelican four years later with Marshall.
And while Kyrie Irving’s injuries were devastating for the franchise, it increased the chances of Marshall shine.
Marshall’s game has reached a new level. He averaged 18.2 per game since, as he averaged 11.2 points per game before the All-Star break.
Already his season average is 13.4 points per game. The best output of his career.
Naji Marshall has the best three games of his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks since Kyrie Irving’s injury.
- 38 points vs. Knicks (March 25th)
- 34 points vs. Suns (March 9th)
- 29 points vs Grizzly (March 7th)
Marshall also praised his career with assists in the game and assists with the Suns of 10.
Even more impressive, he smashed his career high for rebounds on 17 boards against the Grizzlies.
With Anthony Davis coming back, the Mavericks’ offense has a different look and Marshall is not expected to do it all, but he has shown he can.
Mavericks fans may wonder what would have happened if Marshall ran the right way to play alongside Luka Doncic as originally intended, but there are also some interesting pairings with Anthony Davis.
With Mavs set to welcome Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively, this team cannot be underestimated despite their fate and darkness.