Dallas Mavericks looking to find life against lifeless LA Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks are in the post-Nico Harrison era, looking to reestablish themselves after a horrific start to the season. However, their opponent for Friday night, the LA Clippers, has been just as disappointing.

The teams are a combined 6-17 with one total win in the month of November over 13 games. This is NBA Cup action, so it sort of matters, but neither of these teams are good enough to make a run at a Wild Card spot.

Dallas is coming off a 123-114 loss to Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday. The Mavs started hot, but the Suns dominated the second and third quarters. Dallas made a late comeback fueled by Brandon Williams, but it was too little, too late, and they couldn't get over the hump. Injuries are starting to become a theme, as Anthony Davis has missed the last seven games due to a low-grade calf strain, Dereck Lively II has missed nine games with a knee sprain, and P.J. Washington left with a shoulder injury on Wednesday.

Nov 12, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; A Dallas Mavericks trainer helps guard Brandon Williams (10) with a lost contact lens during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Oh, and Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum have yet to play at all this season. And that lack of playmaking and shooting has been VERY apparent in every game they play. Brandon Williams is a decent player, but when he's the only sign of energy from the guard spot, it's a bad sign.

The Clippers gave up on their defensive identity that led them to 50 wins last season to sign Bradley Beal and Brook Lopez, while trading for John Collins. Beal is set for season-ending hip surgery, and now a team that was 3rd in defensive rating last year is 26th this year. They're allowing the most made three-pointers in the league, which will be an interesting clash against a Mavericks team that is last in three-pointers made and 29th in three-point percentage.

James Harden is still James Harden, averaging 23.4 PPG and 8.9 APG on good efficiency, but Kawhi Leonard has played in just six games this year. Ivica Zubac has blossomed into one of the better centers in the NBA, and former Maverick Derrick Jones Jr. is averaging a solid 10.5 PPG, but this team just hasn't had it in their first 11 games.