Marshall exploded for 30 points as Dallas' offense ignited, finally breaking their losing streak on the road with clutch plays late.
WASHINGTON — Naji Marshall scored a season-high 30 points and P.J. Washington delivered eight crucial points in the closing minutes as the Dallas Mavericks snapped a four-game losing streak with a 111–105 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night. The victory marked Dallas’ first road win of the season, improving its record to 3–7.
The Mavericks, still without Anthony Davis (left calf strain) and Klay Thompson (illness), leaned on their bench and defensive execution to grind out the win. Washington dropped to 1–9 with its eighth consecutive loss despite 25 points from CJ McCollum and a season-high 19 from Cam Whitmore.
Dallas opened the game with its best start of the season, using a 19–0 run to seize a 28–16 lead late in the first quarter. Nearly every Maverick who played scored during that stretch, setting an early tone built on unselfish play.
Head coach Jason Kidd said the performance was rooted in teamwork and composure.
“Just the ball movement, the trust, making a play for a teammate,” Kidd said. “Tonight it showed. We maintained composure. They made a run, we didn’t panic, and we continued to keep playing the right way.”
Washington rallied behind Whitmore’s 11-point third quarter and briefly took the lead when Alex Sarr’s putback gave the Wizards a 72–71 advantage. They entered the fourth quarter ahead 86–82, but the Mavericks responded behind Washington’s poise in crunch time.
Washington scored or assisted on 10 straight points during the decisive stretch, including a pair of free throws with 4:36 remaining that put Dallas ahead for good. His driving layup with 53 seconds left sealed the win.
Kidd credited the forward’s all-around impact in the final minutes.
“We can talk about P.J. playing the five and coming up with big tip-outs, but our defense held them from getting open looks,” Kidd said. “We rebounded, got into transition, capitalized, and executed down the stretch.”
Marshall, returning to his hometown, was dominant throughout the night, attacking the rim, hitting timely shots, and igniting Dallas’ offense whenever it stalled.
“Just comfortable,” Marshall said. “I know a lot of people out here — folks in the stands, people who work at the arena, even some opposing coaches. I just feel comfortable here.”
When Dallas trailed by eight early in the fourth quarter, it was Marshall who helped turn the game around.
“Just playing free and sticking together,” he said. “We haven’t done a lot of that this year. We’ve been in that spot plenty of times, so just trusting each other, trusting the coaches — and we came up with the win.”
Rookie forward Cooper Flagg added energy and pace, including a highlight-reel dunk on a lob from Marshall in the first quarter. Brandon Williams also contributed during the closing run with key defensive plays and steady decision-making.
“We’ve been in that situation before,” Williams said. “Just had to turn up the energy on both sides — defense first, then offense takes care of itself.”
Even without their All-Star frontcourt, the Mavericks dominated the paint, outscoring the Wizards 56–40 inside and winning the rebounding battle behind the hustle of Moussa Cissé.
Kidd viewed it as a reflection of the team’s growing resilience.
“To get the ball in the paint and score at that level is a positive,” Kidd said. “There was carryover from the Memphis game. That group is fighting.”
The Mavericks return home Monday to host Milwaukee, while the Wizards visit Detroit seeking to end their skid.