The Dallas Mavericks, now 21-39 on the season, are about to embark on one of the longest road trips of the season.
With the Dallas Mavericks' double-digit loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at American Airlines Center on Sunday, one of the NBA's longest active streaks came to an end.
And for Dallas, that streak ended just as the season's longest road stretch begins.
The Thunder beat the Mavs 100-87, making it the first time Dallas was held below 100 points in 41 games. That was the longest active streak in the league.
OKC, the defending NBA champs and current No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, uphold the reputation of being one of the league's best defenses. Pair that with the reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who scored 30 points and dished five assists, and the Mavs were underdogs from the start.
Any feeling of a home-court advantage in Dallas over the last couple months has long been forgotten, which also didn't help the cause against a tough opponent. Sunday's loss was the Mavericks' eighth straight home defeat.
Since the trade deadline nearly a month ago, the Mavs have turned in the direction of a rebuild, and injuries haven't been on their side in the games since ... but maybe that's a benefit considering the extra losses helping Dallas stay in good positioning for a high pick in the upcoming NBA Draft lottery.
With Oklahoma City out-matching Dallas on the court and a slew of contributors in street clothes, those Mavs who are healthy are trying to keep their heads up.
"So, that’s a tough team right there, especially since we’re down some bodies," said Caleb Martin. "But I feel like we pride ourselves on not trying to make excuses."
Cooper Flagg (left midfoot sprain), Naji Marshall (right finger contusion), and P.J. Washington (left ankle sprain) were all out, along with out-for-the-season players Kyrie Irving (ACL recovery) and Dereck Lively II (foot surgery recovery). Injuries continued to pile up as Klay Thompson was taken out of the game with an adductor contusion in the second half.
"When we get in the locker room, who is suiting up is who you have," Martin said after leading Dallas with 18 points against OKC. "You always got to feel like you have enough to win that night. Some nights require you to do a little bit more when you’ve got less guys.
"So, that’s got to be the main focus no matter who’s available and who’s not. I always think that we have a chance, me personally, no matter who we’re playing or who we’re playing with. I just think that approach has got to be there no matter what."
That approach will face a tough test in the upcoming schedule for the Mavericks.
Dallas, which has lost 13 of its last 15 games overall, will play the eight of the next nine games on the road. Tuesday's meeting at the Charlotte Hornets begins a stretch of six consecutive road contests, including stops up and down the east coast in Orlando, Boston, Toronto, Atlanta and Memphis.
Said Max Christie about the team's mindset going into this grueling part of the schedule: "You just take it one day at a time. You can’t think about it entirely. If you think about it as six games in 12 days - or however many days it is - it seems like a big objective.
"Just take it day-by-day and hopefully win some games on it as well."