The Dallas Mavericks (4-4) will meet the Utah Jazz (1-7) 7:00pm CST Friday at American Airlines Center in the the group stage of the in-season NBA Cup tournament. Dallas enters this contest on a two-game slide after their comeback attempt Wednesday against San Antonio came up short, 112-111. After a challenging stretch of the schedule to begin the season, the Mavericks face their second opponent this week to bring a record with fewer than two wins into the AAC; Monday the Sacramento Kings improved
to 1-6 against a Mavericks team without Kyrie Irving, 115-100. The Jazz arrive having dropped six straight after the Pelicans prevailed Wednesday in overtime, 120-113. The Mavericks and Jazz share a common opponent this week, as Jazz fell Monday to the Spurs, 119-97.
Change of plans
The Jazz organization’s goals remain more focused on developing their young core than immediate playoff contention, but in dealing for forward Jaren Jackson Jr. last spring, CEO Danny Ainge moved beyond the rebuilding phase of angling for draft position with a trade that greatly bolstered the team’s chances (and expectations) of winning now. Jackson’s departure against the Grizzlies Oct. 26 with a torn MCL means that the team will turn to the stockpile of talent amassed in recent drafts, like forward Ace Bailey, guard Darryn Peterson, and point guard Keyonte George.
All three of those players seem to have bright futures, but it is Lewisville’s George who has emerged as the most NBA-ready player as of this writing. The big guard hit some big shots against New Orleans Wednesday, icing a jumper that seemed to have won it before replays revealed that the ball left his hands a split second late, then knocking down the first six points of overtime coming off high screens from center Lauri Markkanen. Though the Jazz got blown out by the Spurs Monday, the previous matchup of these teams Oct. 28, a 117-111 OT Spurs win, provided some insight as to how this Jazz team can be dangerous. Playing in their first game since the Jackson injury, George keyed a Utah comeback with a drive and layup that tied it in the final minute, and guard Brice Sensabaugh made the three that set up George’s heroics, plus another three in overtime.
For the second time in a week the Mavericks face an electric scoring guard from the 2026 draft class. Sacramento’s Darius Acuff’s 10 of 21 performance against Dallas Monday improved his season shooting percentage to .406. Utah’s Peterson, shooting 34% on the season, has shown flashes of his handle and shot creating ability, but at times has looked like a rookie trying to find his role in the offense.
Lonely up top
Markkanen, the Jazz’ other veteran big man who appears ready to win now, has been tested in Jackson’s absence, chasing a 2-11 three-point shooting performance against Portland with an excellent 4-7 effort from deep against the Spurs. After disappearing for much of the second half against the Pelicans, Markkanen emerged in the final two minutes of regulation to drill a three that brought the Jazz to within one and a pair of foul shots that pushed them in front a possession later. Shouldering the load as Utah’s primary frontcourt threat (starting center Jusuf Nurkic is out with a toe injury) has exposed Markkanen’s strengths and flaws alike. Wednesday the Jazz produced their second 40-point quarter of the season in the third, as Markkanen and reserve center Mohamed Bamba pushed and stretched a small Pelicans lineup around the floor and the Jazz attacked the rim relentlessly. But when New Orleans went big late, Zion Williamson, Derik Queen, and Saddiq Bey all got the shots they needed against Markkanen.
Some of the Mavericks’ most effective stretches against the Spurs came with PJ Washington Jr., Morez Johnson Jr., and Caleb Martin taking turns as the biggest Mavs on the floor, as Dallas’ small lineup cut into the Spurs’ lead even after Victor Webanyama re-entered the game. If coach Dusty May employs a similar strategy against Utah, Markkanen and Bamba will have to cover a lot of ground to keep up.
The group thing
Friday’s game will be the Mavericks’ second of the group stage of the in-season tournament and the Jazz’ first. Dallas beat Houston Friday, 116-111, to notch a 1-0 record in the group stage and a +5 point differential. Dallas trails Denver for first place in West group A, as the Nuggets’ +7 point differential after their 127-120 win against Phoenix Friday gave them the tiebreaker.
Familiar faces
Mavericks guard Walter Clayton Jr. appeared in 45 games for the Jazz last season with averages of 6.8 points and 5.5 assists before being included in the Feb. 3 trade with Memphis that brought Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah. Jazz guard Josh Green, a Maverick fan favorite from 2020-24, comes off the bench for 3.0 points per game, and is still making things happen with hard cuts and hustle plays.
How to watch
Friday’s game will be shown on MAVSTV+ and KFAA Channel 29. Radio broadcast is 105.3fm KRLD (English) and 99.1fm KFZO (español).
