3 overreactions as Mavericks are blown out by Chicago Bulls

The Dallas Mavericks played the final leg of a three-game road trip on Saturday evening against the Chicago Bulls as they once again played without Anthony Davis, who will be out for a while due to ligament damage in his hand. That makes every game a challenge, even though this stretch is theoretically against weaker teams.

Chicago found itself up 10-3 in the first few minutes before the Mavs settled into the game. The Chicago native Max Christie hit a few threes to help steady the ship, but then six minutes into the game, Jason Kidd was ejected after arguing with official Scott Foster. Kidd wanted to challenge a goaltending call (that would've been changed to a block had it been reviewed), but Foster wouldn't let him because the ball was maybe in play.

After Kidd was ejected, the Bulls built the lead up to 10, 28-18, following threes from Jalen Smith and Kevin Huerter and a layup from Ayo Dosunmu. And the lead would stay around 10 for basically the rest of the half. If Dallas hit a three, Chicago would answer with one.

The game looked to be getting a little out of hand in the second quarter as the Bulls went on an 8-0 run to go up by 18, holding the Mavericks scoreless for about three and a half minutes, but the Mavericks had a 7-0 answer to make it seem like nothing happened, getting big plays from the rookies, Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard, to do so. And the 11-point difference is what it would be at halftime.

Chicago and Dallas decided to take inspiration from the NFL playoff game in the same city and have a few hard collisions, but that seemed to help the Mavs chip away at the lead. Back-to-back baskets from Naji Marshall cut the lead to 4 with about eight minutes remaining in the quarter, but then the Bulls woke back up, outscoring Dallas 13-4 over the next four minutes. Coby White, someone who could be a trade target for the Mavs, was the conductor of that train, and near the end of the quarter, the Bulls led by 15.

After that, the Mavericks would never cut the lead back to single digits. They got it to 10 at the start of the fourth quarter, but a 10-0 run by the Bulls instantly made it a 20-point game, and that would be enough to call it, and the Bulls would go on to win, 125-107.

Here are three overreactions to this blowout loss.

1. Sell Every Veteran If They Have Value

Jan 8, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) warms up before the game Utah Jazz at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

If the Mavericks can find draft picks in return for players like Daniel Gafford or Naji Marshall, do it. If they can get back expiring contracts for Klay Thompson, Caleb Martin, Jaden Hardy, or D'Angelo Russell, do it. If anyone wants Anthony Davis, do it. This team needs to embrace the tank sooner than later.

2. Imagine Losing By 18 to the Chicago Bulls

Jan 10, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls head coach Billy Donovan looks on from the bench during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images | Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Bulls entered this game having won 17 games. Guess how many of them came by at least 18 points.

Correct answer? None of them! Embrace the tank, Dallas. This is your sign.

3. One of the Few Jason Kidd Emotional Moments

Clown Scott Foster tosses JKidd after screwing the Mavs out of a timeout/challenge situation pic.twitter.com/HA2XhjGDOm
— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) January 11, 2026

Jason Kidd has usually been pretty stoic on the sidelines since becoming the coach of the Mavericks. But he was a little vocal with Scott Foster for not letting him challenge a goaltending call, which would've been overturned based on the replays we had. Maybe he just wanted to watch the NFL playoffs with Anthony Davis in the locker room? But the Mavericks weren't going to win this game either way.

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