Undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard has stabilized Dallas’ offense, guiding a three-game win streak as he emerges as the Mavericks’ unexpected answer at point guard.
DALLAS — Ryan Nembhard has gone from an undrafted longshot to the Mavericks’ most reliable source of stability, and his rapid rise has helped steady a season that had begun drifting off course.
Dallas identified potential in him during summer league, where his command and pace earned him a two-way contract before he ever logged an NBA minute. But the scale of his impact arrived far sooner than expected, elevating him into the starting point guard role after the Mavericks cycled through several options.
Now, with three straight wins — including victories over Denver and Miami — his influence is becoming harder to ignore.
After Wednesday’s 118-108 win over the Heat, Nembhard made clear he was not treating the recent stretch as anything more than a starting point.
“It’s the NBA. You got to do it consistently,” Nembhard said. “If you do it for one night, it doesn’t matter.”
Nembhard has become the first undrafted rookie in league history to post at least 15 points and 10 assists in consecutive games. He also became the first undrafted rookie since 2022 to reach double-digit assists in back-to-back outings. Still, he said those marks do not alter his approach.
“It’s a blessing,” he said. “It shows my work is paying off. But you got to be consistent in this league. I want to be able to do it night in and night out. I’m just trying to make the right play out there.”
Through four starts, Nembhard is averaging 17 points and 7.5 assists with only five turnovers while shooting 66.7% from behind the arc. More than the numbers, the Mavericks have leaned on the poise he brings to an offense that struggled to find structure early in the season.
Head coach Jason Kidd said the rookie has succeeded by staying grounded in what he already does well.
“He’s comfortable with his game,” Kidd said. “He’s not trying to be somebody else. He understands his game and the game of basketball. Keep it simple. If they give you a shot, take the shot, if a teammate’s open, make sure it gets to a successful place.”
Nembhard has also developed a strong connection with No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg, who has averaged 27 points during the winning streak and has shifted his focus to attacking downhill rather than relying on perimeter attempts. Flagg said Nembhard’s confidence and control have lifted the entire group.
“Ryan’s the type of player where it’s easy to be alongside,” Flagg said. “He’s been ultra-confident and that’s what you have to do. It just makes everybody better. It’s been great. He’s a great player and a great person.”
Flagg added that Dallas’ rookie group — Nembhard, Flagg, Miles Kelly and Moussa Cisse — has leaned on each other as they adjust to the league.
“Me, Ryan, Miles as well, Moussa, the four of us coming in here even though we’re all at different stages in our lives, we’re all kind of going through the same things,” Flagg said. “You’re a rookie together and you’re only a rookie once. Just trying to go through it together and not feel like we’re alone out there.”
CissÉ has taken on additional minutes as injuries have thinned the frontcourt, and Kelly continues to post strong outings in the G League. Flagg, at 18, has transitioned into one of the team’s most dynamic scorers. But Nembhard, the smallest and least heralded of the group, has pushed his way into the center of Dallas’ turnaround.
Dallas now travels to league-leading Oklahoma City, where the 21-1 Thunder hold the NBA’s best defensive rating and remain unbeaten at home. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander enters averaging 32.8 points and 6.5 assists, and the Thunder recently regained Jalen Williams after a long injury absence.
The Mavericks have not won four straight since early last season. Whether they can break that drought now may depend on whether Nembhard can continue delivering the consistency he insists is the only thing that matters.