A day before their 116-106 win over the Rockets on Tuesday night, three Mavericks approached coach Jason Kidd with an idea.
Kidd’s new leadership “council,” whom he declined to name, wanted to make sure all 15 active players took the American Airlines Center court during Dallas’ home opener.
Though the Mavericks didn’t register a blowout result against a rebuilding team that might’ve normally prompted an emptying of the bench, Kidd made good on his leaders’ request.
While Dallas again experienced several issues that have nagged them this season and in recent past — another halftime deficit, for example, and Kristaps Porzingis’ appearance on another injury report — the Mavericks’ reserves supported Luka Doncic’s 26-point, 14-rebound, seven-assist performance.
They logged a second consecutive win — and their highest offensive output — as they continue to acclimate to Kidd’s systems.
Doncic discusses “the leadership council,” of which he’s presumably one of the three members, and the idea behind all 15 players playing tonight. Doncic wouldn’t bite when asked to divulge the council members. pic.twitter.com/s8c8NTjqfB
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) October 27, 2021
“The more you talk, the better,” Doncic said, inadvertently revealing himself as a likely member of the council. “Especially with these meetings, on the court, off the court, talking solves things, so I think it’s a good idea.”
At the start of the fourth quarter, the Mavericks announced Kristaps Porzingis was doubtful to return with lower back tightness, the same injury designation that caused the 26-year-old center to miss three games last February after the Mavericks’ pseudo bye week because of severe winter weather.
Kidd said after the game Porzingis was “fine,” and that the Mavericks’ medical staff held him out as a precaution.
“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow” at practice, Kidd said.
Porzingis finished with nine points, three rebounds and one assist…