With a great performance during the preseason, as the season opener came to an end for the Dallas Mavericks, they took their first loss of the season against the Atlanta Hawks.
With expectations high for both teams going into the game, the stars on both teams, Luka Doncic and Trae Young, looked to lead their team to the first win of the season.
Both stars ended the first half with 7 points and three assists. Luka finished the game with a double-double, 18 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. Young came to play as well, finishing the game with 19 points and 14 assists.
Forward Kristaps Porzingis finished the game with 11 points and five rebounds. Guard Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 14 points, and point guard Jalen Brunson brought in 17 points in the battle to help the Mavs compete.
Center Clint Capela brought in a double-double with 12 points and 13 assists. Forward john Collin scored 16 points, nine rebounds. Coming off the bench, guard Cam Reddish scored 20 points.
At the end of halftime, the Hawks lead the game with a seven-point lead 44 – 51. With the game close at half, it did not stay that way as the Hawks finished the game with a 26-point lead—the second-largest in Hawks history for a season opener. Also, the second-largest point deficit in a loss for the Dallas Mavericks in a season opener.
During post-game interviews, both stars acknowledge that the joys and frustrations of the game. Still concluding that NBA season is a long season and that no matter the score, it is just one game with 81 more to go and learning from this game and moving on to the next.
With a new coaching staff that includes NBA champion and assistant coach Jared Dudley and NBA champion and new head coach Jason Kidd, also adding new players to the roster, the Mavs have a new identity to establish. With new leadership and the return of core players on the roster, though it’s early, championship hopes are very much so alive in Dallas.