Injuries Pile Up as Dallas Mavericks’ Late Rally Falls Short Against Denver Nuggets

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks’ margin for error disappeared long before the final buzzer Wednesday night, and even a furious late rally was not enough to overcome another wave of injuries in a 118-109 loss to the Denver Nuggets at American Airlines Center.

Denver guard Jamal Murray scored 33 points and delivered the defining shots late as the Nuggets won their third straight game and improved to 28-13. Dallas dropped to 15-26 at the season’s midpoint, with the defeat coming in a game that steadily unraveled as bodies continued to fall.

The Nuggets seized control early, stretching the floor and punishing Dallas from deep. Denver connected on nine 3-pointers in the first half, building a 63-46 halftime lead despite playing without Nikola Jokic. Seven different Nuggets made a 3 before the break, a balanced attack that left the Mavericks scrambling defensively.

Dallas’ night grew more complicated late in the second quarter when rookie forward Cooper Flagg rolled his left ankle after stepping on Peyton Watson’s foot. Flagg returned briefly but was held out after halftime. Center Daniel Gafford later exited in the third quarter with a right ankle sprain and did not return.

After the game, coach Jason Kidd detailed the decision to keep Flagg out.

“He stepped on someone’s foot, and I think the last game he twisted his ankle too,” Kidd said. “So they decided to hold him out for the second half. Next man up.”

Kidd later clarified the injuries.

“It’s his left ankle for Coop, and for Gaff it’s his right ankle,” he said.

Already without Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II and Danté Exum, Dallas leaned heavily on its remaining rotation. Naji Marshall responded with 24 points, continuing his recent stretch of aggressive downhill play.

Marshall said Dallas’ surge in the second half was fueled by defense and tempo.

“Just intensity,” Marshall said. “I feel like we brought it on the defensive end, getting stops, and we were pushing the pace on offense. Some of our best offense is when we get out in transition.”

The Mavericks trailed by as many as 23 before mounting their push. A 9-0 run late in the fourth quarter, capped by a 3-pointer from Caleb Martin, pulled Dallas within 113-107 with 1:12 remaining. A missed 3 from Klay Thompson kept it from becoming a one-possession game, and Murray quickly answered.

“He’s good,” Kidd said of Murray. “He should’ve been an All-Star probably a couple years ago, but he should be an All-Star this year. He’s one that can take over the game, and we saw that tonight.”

Denver closed it out with a Murray jumper and a free throw from Aaron Gordon, who finished with 22 points. Watson added 18, while former Maverick Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 12 and Spencer Jones chipped in 10.

Dallas received 20 points and seven rebounds off the bench from Brandon Williams, whose ability to attack the paint stood out.

“I thought he was a little rusty, but late he started to find his groove—getting into the paint and getting to the free-throw line,” Kidd said. “That’s really good, and we’re going to need that as we go forward.”

Martin, who finished with a season-high 15 points, said the energy of the comeback helped lift the group despite the outcome.

“It was probably one of the more fun games I’ve played since I’ve been here,” Martin said. “Obviously the best offensive game I’ve had since I’ve been here. It was just fun to be out there and make an impact.”

Marshall emphasized how costly the midgame injuries proved.

“A lot,” he said. “We all know what Cooper brings to this team, and the same with Gaff. Those are two big pieces, on top of what we already lost. It’s unfortunate, but next man up.”

Dallas will host the Utah Jazz on Thursday in the second night of a back-to-back, with the status of Flagg and Gafford uncertain. For a team already stretched thin, the familiar refrain echoed again.

“This is a hard time for us,” Kidd said. “The character’s been displayed in tough times, being down, but we keep fighting.”