Player Grades – Recapping The Mavericks Vs. The Hawks

The Dallas Mavericks have been in some familiar matchups over the past few weeks, with the Atlanta Hawks the latest to run it back just eight days after the last time the two teams faced off. Similar to a week ago, the Hawks got a win in a 135-120 decision Wednesday night.

Let’s get to the grades!

Ryan Nembhard: A

8 PTS / 2 REB / 12 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 26 MIN

Nembhard is the toughest grade of the night, seeing as he shot 3-for-7 and was a team worst in plus/minus with a minus-19. That said, a 12:0 assist-to-turnover ratio is outrageous and gives his grade a major bump.

Max Christie: B+

13 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 0 BLK – 30 MIN

Christie is now on a trend of improved shooting, and it’s a welcome site after a funky stretch. He didn’t blow up the scoring column, but was once again efficient (4-for-6). Best of all, his shot selection wasn’t a lopsided three-point exclusive, as he hit both of his two-point attempts and 2-for-4 from deep.

Cooper Flagg: B

17 PTS / 6 REB / 5 AST / 2 STL / 2 BLK – 33 MIN

Flagg had more turnovers (six) than assists (five) which is an area that sometimes swings game-to-game for Flagg, and dinged his grade a bit Wednesday night. Even when he has a hiccup like this, he still manages to contribute a little bit everywhere; and important part of his ever progressing development.

Naji Marshall: C-

4 PTS / 3 REB / 4 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 28 MIN

Wednesday was not the night we’ve become accustom to from Marshall. He hit only 2-for-10 from the floor and his other contributions were all he could do to stay out of the grade basement.

P.J. Washington: A-

23 PTS / 9 REB / 1 AST / 0 STL / 2 BLK – 30 MIN

Washington-as-center doesn’t seem like it should work, but it has been. Washington has had the best little run of games at least since returning from injury a few weeks back. Getting this level of production from a non-center in the center position is a good night. Washington connected on 7-for-14 shots from the floor.

Klay Thompson: B-

19 PTS / 0 REB / 1 AST / 1 STL / 0 BLK – 20 MIN

While not the greatest from downtown (3-for-9), Thompson had a fine enough shooting night overall (5-for-11), chipping in a solid point total if not much else.

Daniel Gafford: A

24 PTS / 8 REB / 0 AST / 0 STL / 1 BLK – 22 MIN

Gafford looks like the player Mavs fans fell in love with back in 2024. Wednesday night was his season high in scoring in a game he basically could not miss (9-for-10). Like Christie, Gafford has strung together a nice run of productive games, making more than the most of conservative minutes.

Final Thoughts

The game wasn’t especially competitive, but at this point in season like this, the focus tends to shift to how healthy guys are, who is rounding back into form and some of those other little things. The New Orleans Pelicans got a win over the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Denver Nuggets, so if you’re interested in an improved draft standing, the Mavs at least won big in that regard.

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