The Dallas Mavericks (1-3) fell to the Atlanta Hawks (4-1), 135-111, in Friday’s final preseason tuneup before the 2026-27 regular season starts on Wednesday.
Here is what first-year head coach Dusty May, rookie big man Morez Johnson Jr. and new Maverick swing man Zaccharie Risacher had to say in their postgame press availability.
Dusty May
Opening statement
Give Atlanta credit, I thought their their point of attack, defense, their disruptions. They were they were tough tonight. They played inspired. They look like a playoff
team that’s capable of advancing, and guys that have played together. We just weren’t quick enough to the ball and gave them too many opportunities. But there were some small wins for us, and looking forward to going into the regular season.
On the starting five (Irving, Risacher, Flagg, Washington, Gafford):
I thought overall they played well, and we haven’t had our lineups. We don’t even really know what our [starting] lineup’s going to be, but we haven’t had them together. So it’s difficult to find the way you function within each group. But I thought, you know, just to see Kyrie back competing like he was, I thought he made a lot of really good passes. I thought he trusted his teammates, and over time, that’s a recipe for success. So, overall pleased with that group.
Did you like what you saw out of [Risacher] overall?
I thought the second half, Zacc showed what we need him to be. I thought his energy — his effort — he made a couple of really nice cuts to the basket. I thought he was on the glass. He settled into the game, and obviously this one’s an emotional one for Zacc. He played there, and I think anytime you have history with a team, there’s the, you know, it’s tough to go against your former teammates and things like that. But I thought he made some aggressive plays. He was much more explosive in the paint in the second half, and his aggression was rewarded. It was one of the bright spots to see how well he played in the second half.
Did you keep your turnover numbers down the way you want them to be?
The first half (four turnovers) was excellent. The second half (11 turnovers) was what it’s been. So, for one half, yes.
How likely is it that [Risacher] starts opening night?
He’s been, I don’t know. I mean, I think if you gauge it on today’s second half, he’s going to be a major rotation piece and play a lot. I don’t know what the starting lineup is going to be quite yet. We’ll know as we get closer to game time.
How would you evaluate [Morez Johnson Jr.]’s night?
I thought he looked a little bit rusty, didn’t have great rhythm and flow, but he made positive contributions. Not worried about him. He’s going to play well. It was good to see him out there. He got 14 minutes, and these minutes will prove invaluable as we get into the regular season, but I thought he did some good things.
What are some areas that you really want to hone in over the next week or so?
The fundamentals of the game: rebounding. We’re just not quick enough to the ball quite yet. That’s one area the turnover concerned, and then figuring out a way to relieve some pressure offensively. You know, just Coop and Kyrie are having to fight so hard for every catch that we’ve got to be able to alleviate some pressure with some of the other guys. So we’ll have to figure that one out.
On Washington’s catch-and-shoot 3-point looks:
When they’re packing the paint, just like the Hawks did, backing off certain guys, you take the shot. I mean, I think PJ is a good shooter, I mean, I think he’s going to make shots. The reluctant open shooter, analytically and statistically, is really bad for your offensive flow, and you can’t anticipate the shots going up. I think he’s going to make those. I thought he took good looks. Obviously not one of his better games. But yeah, we believe in PJ as a, those were driving kick shots. I thought his teammates did a nice job early, especially cutting. And I think a lot of those were off of Kyrie and Cooper, like making the right plays, seeing multiple bodies and kicking to open teammates. And then like I said, we’re still getting used to each other though.
Do you like the way you shared the ball? 30 assists on 40 made baskets.
Yeah, for the most part, we’re sharing it. Well, we have an unselfish group, and overall, yes, I think we’re playing for each other. I think we’re making the right plays. We just have to clean up a few things fundamentally.
On defensive takeaways from Friday’s loss, and growth opportunities across preseason:
Overall, we didn’t guard the ball nearly as well as we’re capable of tonight. Just guarding your yard, not giving up straight-line drives. I do think in the second half, our rotations were a little bit better. Our hand activity was better. It seemed like in the first half they were able to pinpoint direct passes, and they had us on our heels when they made the run. But I thought the biggest difference was just their ability to get the offensive rebounds, fan it out, and make us pay. So even when we were on the verge of making runs, it seemed like it was hustle plays that allowed them to just kind of hold us off.
On [Flagg’s] game:
I mean I thought Coop played well — got to the line nine times and had 12 rebounds. Obviously you want everyone to make more shots than they did. But very happy with the way Coop played. I mean, he’s a competitor. … He’s getting us open looks. He’s attacking the pressure, and you know, like I said, we’ve got to find ways to give him and Kai some pressure releases.
Morez Johnson Jr.
What was your first game like back coming back from the injury?
It was good, knocked some rust off. Was glad to be out there.
What does seven rebounds in 14 minutes say about your effort?
It says a lot. You just got to keep playing — just play hard, and that’s how I got them. Boxing out, hitting bodies, locating the ball in the air.
Were you able to get into the rhythm you wanted to as the regular season approaches?
I think I’m getting there. I didn’t feel like I was in a great rhythm tonight, but I’ll get there soon.
How do you see your role when you’re out there with [Flagg] and [Irving]?
Screening the best I can to get those guys open, making sure I’m playing a pocket, sprinting to the back of the room, giving them an outlet pass if they don’t got nothing coming out of the pick and roll.
What skills do you have that will help you flourish as a center rather than as a power forward?
When I was playing the five out there was mostly in switching one through five. So I think it’s kind of very similar to playing a four because I’m switching one through five still. Just making sure I’m finding bodies on the glass, just being a connector out there like I was doing last year. I feel like, it’s the same thing for me, because especially with me switching one through five.
On comparing physicality of college game with physicality in the NBA:
I think that’s a part of me. I’ve just got to continue to be me every time I step on the floor, no matter who I’m playing against or where I’m playing.
On reaction to watching [Irving] play in person:
He’s insane, and the stuff he does every day — it’s just crazy to watch. I’m grateful to have a vet like that in the locker room with me.
On difference in speed of the game from college to NBA level:
I think I’m adjusting just fine. Like I said, I don’t think I have any rhythm out there yet, just from coming back, but I think I’ll get there. But I’ll say — the game. I don’t think it’s that much faster, yeah.
Zaccharie Risacher
On his performance in Friday’s game:
I feel like I did what I do best. Playing hard, finding the rhythm on defense. I was trying to be myself and trying to help the team the best way I can. When you play with the flow, in the right rhythm, it always gets back to you. I feel like that’s what I did, and it works out.
Any extra joy in this game considering who the opponent was?
It was exciting playing against my former team, but at the same time, I wasn’t trying to worry about anything else. It was the last game of the preseason, and it was important for us to put the work in. I was worrying about the game plan, the chemistry that we’re building, those kinds of things, playing well on the court, playing for each other. Those are the things I was worrying about.
On fit with the team and playing better in the second half than in the first so far:
It’s a part of the adjustment — playing in a new environment. I’ve got to do a better job of showing up earlier in the game. You’re right. The first half in these preseason games wasn’t that good, and I felt like I could have done a better job. But this is preseason. That’s what this is for — getting [adjusted], finding a rhythm, finding chemistry with new teammates, and I feel like the communication has been great. I’m super excited about this new season, and everybody’s on the same page. I’m grateful to be able to compete with those guys, and I feel like it’s going to be an amazing season.
On specific second-half adjustments to find a rhythm:
As the game goes on, everything becomes a lot easier. Finding habits. Finding chemistry. When I play my best is always because of the team. When I’m playing for the team, that’s when I do best, and that’s what I want to do. Playing for each other — that’s going to be a big thing for us. That’s another reason why I’m excited, because I know I’m in a position where I get to be myself, and be successful being myself.
On things the team needs to work on before the start of the regular season:
Getting those 50-50 balls. That’s one of the things we need to improve. Crashing. Getting those boards. During the game, it felt like they really had us on the glass. Also, being a little more connected on defense, so we can make stops. We have a lot of athletes and a lot of players [who] can bring the ball up and run the floor. But in order to do that, we’ve got to make stops first. That’s one of the things we need to focus on.
