JASON KIDD

Luka Doncic pulled up to the arena for a game against the Atlanta Hawks in a six-wheel, tank-like vehicle. Dallas dropped its third straight game Wednesday night.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd ripped his team's defensive effort Wednesday night following a 130-122 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

The Dallas Mavericks have honored retired star Dirk Nowitzki by unveiling his statue outside the arena before a Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

For the first time in NBA history, five players scored at least 43 points on the same day. The others: Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid scored 44 against the Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a career-high 44 against New Orleans, New York’s RJ Barrett had 44 against Chicago and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton scored a career-best 43 against Miami. “My teammates trusted me," he said after his 17-for-30 night that also included 10 rebounds and eight assists. There now have been just over 4,400 instances of a player scoring 40 or more points in a regular-season game. Friday was only the fifth time that five of those happened on the same day — and the second time it happened in 2022.

The NBA went into Christmas with a night like none other.

Luka Doncic scored a season-high 50 points , including 17 in the fourth quarter, and the Dallas Mavericks held on to beat the Houston Rockets 112-106.

As we get set to tear open the presents and cut into the fruitcake, let's take a look at the five most interesting players — to me! — in the Christmas quintuple-header, in terms of the questions they face and the possibilities they unlock. At his Houston peak, Harden could blitz past any defender in the league and get to the cup at will. Out of 189 players who've logged at least 500 minutes this season, Brooks ranks 11th in average matchup difficulty, according to The BBall Index 's game charting. All-Star cases have been built on a hell of a lot less; a big performance on Christmas would only help bolster Brook's.

A bad Mavericks stretch got worse on Monday when head coach Jason Kidd and star guard Luka Doncic were both ejected in a 116-106 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. "I"m here because I have to be here," Kidd told reporters. With the Mavs trailing by 14 and his star guard gone, Jason Kidd took the opportunity to give officials an earful. Mott has ejected Doncic before and clearly has no patience for his grievances. #MFFL | @dallasmavs on @BallySportsSW 📺 pic.twitter.com/BPeMjTy9pX — Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) December 20, 2022"I probably deserved the one, but two for sure no," Doncic told reporters.

We're now nine weeks into the fantasy basketball season and, I know it doesn't feel like it, but the NBA is third of the way through as well. Also, punting turnovers is common in fantasy basketball, considering some of the best fantasy players are among the league leaders in turnovers per game. TRADE AWAY: Christian Wood - PF/C, Dallas MavericksCurrent per-game rank: 161The Mavs' offseason trade with the Rockets to land Christian Wood is not going according to plan for fantasy managers. But his fantasy value is taking a dive since joining the Mavs; there's no way around it. However, unlike Green, Johnson has some sample size for being an efficient shooter.

Luka Doncic's Dallas Mavericks illustrate that better than anyone, it seems. Reaching the conference finals in head coach Jason Kidd’s first season ramped up expectations in a way this roster wasn’t yet ready for. Antetokounmpo can ramp it down on that end if need be, and he’s playing around 33 minutes a game. Dallas ranks last in both fast break points and points in the paint, according to NBA.com. “Being consistent is a big thing we’re fighting to find, we have guys starting to play well,” Kidd admitted.

Luka Doncic scored 41 points in his NBA-leading fifth triple-double, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Golden State Warriors 116-113 in the first meeting of last season’s Western Conference finalists.

DALLAS — (AP) — The timeline for Kemba Walker to contribute for the Dallas Mavericks is uncertain as the four-time All-Star joins a roster in need of playmaking help behind superstar Luka Doncic. Walker went unsigned the first six weeks of the season before the 32-year-old guard was officially added by Dallas on Tuesday. Plagued by knee injuries in recent years, Walker hasn't played since Feb. 16. Walker played most of the pandemic-altered 2019-20 season, the last of five consecutive seasons in which he averaged at least 20 points per game. Walker played just 43 games in his second season with the Celtics before an offseason trade to the Knicks.

The timeline for Kemba Walker to contribute for the Dallas Mavericks is uncertain as the four-time All-Star joins a roster in need of playmaking help behind superstar Luka Doncic.

Trey Murphy III scored 22 points and the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans overcame Luka Doncic’s latest prolific performance to beat the Dallas Mavericks 113-111.

Devin Booker scored 35 points, Chris Paul became the third player in NBA history to reach 11,000 assists, and the Phoenix Suns beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-95.

The last 12 months have been a transformative year in the NBA when it comes to diversity among coaches.

Sports figures across the U.S. are demanding action following the elementary school shooting that left at least 19 kids and two adults dead.

Sports figures across the U.S. are demanding action following the elementary school shooting that left at least 19 kids and two adults dead.

Warriors Mavericks Kerr Texas School Shooting Reacting to the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting earlier in the day, Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr makes a statement before Warriors played the Dallas Mavericks in Game 4 of the NBA basketball playoffs Western Conference finals Tuesday, May 24, 2022, in Dallas. The sports world reacted swiftly Tuesday to the news of an 18-year-old gunman opening fire at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and killing at least 18 children. ___"My thoughts and prayers goes out to the families of love ones loss & injured at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX! ___“Tonight we play for Uvalde, Texas." — Dallas Mavericks public address announcer Sean Heath, before the Warriors-Mavericks game.

The NBA has fined the Dallas Mavericks a third time in the playoffs because of violations of rules regarding their bench.

Stephen Curry had 21 points and a game-high 12 rebounds, Golden State’s defense held Luka Doncic in check, and the Warriors beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-87 for a 1-0 lead in the Western Conference finals.

Luka Doncic scored 33 points and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Phoenix Suns 113-86 on Thursday night to force a Game 7 in the Western Conference semifinals.

The U.S.’s most successful sporting export has achieved its greatest success.

Devin Booker scored 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 20 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-80 night to take a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat are the top seeds in the playoffs and at the moment, they look like it coming off impressive performances.

Jalen Brunson scored 31 points playing with a bruised back and the Dallas Mavericks — without the injured Luka Doncic — beat the Utah Jazz 126-118 on Thursday night to take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.

The Dallas Mavericks are buying time to get Luka Doncic involved in their first-round series against Utah after winning Game 2 at home without their star.

Jazz Mavericks Basketball Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic leans down as he watches play late in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Utah Jazz, Saturday, April 16, 2022, in Dallas. Monday's Game 2 comes eight days after Doncic got hurt in the regular-season finale. The Mavericks lost 99-93 in Game 1 against the Jazz on Saturday. Doncic has resumed individual shooting, and even swished a half-court shot during the team's walkthrough Monday morning. Kidd didn't elaborate before the game about what type of progress Doncic was making.

Luka Doncic is out again for the Dallas Mavericks in Game 2 of their playoff series against the Utah Jazz.

Donovan Mitchell scored 30 of his 32 points after halftime, Bojan Bogdanovic finished with 26 and the Utah Jazz opened the playoffs with a 99-93 victory over Dallas.

Luka Doncic won’t play for the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of their playoff series against Utah because of the calf injury the All-Star guard suffered in the regular-season finale.

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo acknowledges there is pressure in the NBA playoffs and after the winning the first title, “your mind wants to win a second time or a third time."

The Dallas Mavericks aren’t putting a timetable on Luka Doncic’s return from a left calf strain with the club four days from opening a first-round playoff series against Utah.

Spurs Mavericks Basketball Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) reaches for his lower leg after suffering an unknown lower leg injury in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs, Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Dallas. The Spurs were already locked into the final spot in the play-in tournament as the 10th seed in the Western Conference. Keldon Johnson scored 24 points for San Antonio, which will play ninth-seeded New Orleans on Wednesday. Dorian Finney-Smith scored all of his 16 points in the third quarter, when Dallas broke a 59-59 halftime tie by outscoring San Antonio 38-23. The Mavericks won all four games against San Antonio, sweeping the season series from their Texas rivals for the first time.

Luka Doncic strained his left calf in Dallas’ 130-120 win over San Antonio in what turned out to be a meaningless regular-season finale, putting the superstar’s status in question for the playoff-bound Mavericks.

Trail Blazers Mavericks Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic shoots during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers, Friday, April 8, 2022, in Dallas. The Mavericks will play their regular-season finale Sunday without Doncic, unless the technical foul is rescinded by the NBA office. Dallas will open a first-round playoff series at home for the first time since its 2011 NBA championship season. Drew Eubanks had 18 points and Ben McLemore 14 for the Trail Blazers (27-54), who trailed throughout while losing their 10th game in a row. The Trail Blazers, who lost at New Orleans on Thursday night, finished 6-9 in the second game of back-to-backs — 1-5 in those games on the road.

Luka Doncic had 39 points, 11 rebounds and his 16th technical foul of the season for the Dallas Mavericks in a 128-78 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Mavericks Bucks Basketball Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic (77) passes around Milwaukee Bucks' Bobby Portis (9) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, April 3, 2022, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash) (Aaron Gash)MILWAUKEE — (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 32 points and matched a season high with 15 assists to help the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-112 on Sunday. In six career games against the Bucks, Doncic has averaged 26.8 points, 11.3 assists and 9.2 rebounds with three triple-doubles. Doncic hit a 3-pointer to put the Mavericks back ahead 93-91 with 9:04 left. ... Mavericks coach Jason Kidd congratulated former Dallas coach Del Harris for his selection to the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame on Saturday, but said it’s about time another former Mavericks coach gets honored as well.

Luka Doncic scored 32 points and matched a season high with 15 assists to help the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 118-112.

Mavericks Nets Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) drives against Brooklyn Nets guard Cam Thomas (24) in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, March 16, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) (John Minchillo)NEW YORK — (AP) — Spencer Dinwiddie made a 3-pointer at the buzzer against his former team, giving the Dallas Mavericks a 113-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. The Mavericks took time and Luka Doncic brought the ball up before the Mavericks got it to Dinwiddie, who nailed the jumper from the right side, right in front of Brooklyn's bench. Dinwiddie scored 22 points, 15 in the fourth quarter. He beat that by quickly rising for the 3-pointer that gave Brooklyn the lead, but Dinwiddie again came through late for the Mavs.

Spencer Dinwiddie made a 3-pointer at the buzzer against his former team, giving the Dallas Mavericks a 113-111 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.

Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 3.3 seconds left and the Dallas Mavericks, playing without All-Star guard Luka Doncic, overcame a 19-point deficit for the second time this week to beat the Sacramento Kings 114-113 on Saturday.

Dorian Finney-Smith hit a 3-pointer from the right corner with 3.3 seconds left and the Dallas Mavericks, playing without All-Star guard Luka Doncic, overcame a 19-point deficit for the second time this week to beat the Sacramento Kings 114-113 on Saturday. Doncic was listed on the injury report as having a left toe sprain, and coach Jason Kidd wouldn’t elaborate on the injury. Spencer Dinwiddie scored a season-high 36 points to go with seven assists in his first start for Dallas since being acquired from Washington on Feb. 10.

Mavericks Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores past Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Luka Doncic made two free throws with 7.9 seconds left on the way to 34 points and the Dallas Mavericks came back from 21 down in the third quarter to stun the Golden State Warriors 107-101 on Sunday night. 1 Golden State and the fifth-ranked Mavericks. Warriors rookie Jonathan Kuminga received a technical with 9:20 left for grabbing the rim after a goaltending call. Golden State couldn't deliver in what seemed set to be another commanding victory over Dallas after the Warriors snapped a four-game home losing streak to the Mavericks last month with a 130-92 rout.

Luka Doncic made two free throws with 7.9 seconds left on the way to 34 points and the Dallas Mavericks came back from 21 down in the third quarter to stun the Golden State Warriors 107-101 on Sunday night.

Franz Wagner scored 18 points, including the tiebreaking layup with 54 seconds remaining, and the Orlando Magic beat the Dallas Mavericks 110-108 on Sunday.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 12 of his 19 points in the first quarter of his first game in two weeks and the Dallas Mavericks cruised to a 108-92 victory over the Orlando Magic.

RJ Barrett scored 32 points, Mitchell Robinson had a season-high 19 and the New York Knicks snapped the Dallas Mavericks’ six-game winning streak with a 108-85 victory.

Another NBA head coach has entered the league's health and safety protocols.

Mavericks Nowitzki Number Basketball People stand in line to buy memorabilia of former Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki before an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks in Dallas, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. The Mavericks are retiring Nowitzki's number in a ceremony after the game. (AP Photo/LM Otero) (LM Otero)DALLAS — (AP) — The concourse of Dirk Nowitzki's old home arena displayed memorabilia from the franchise icon's career as the Dallas Mavericks prepared for a ceremony to retire his No. “I guess the best way to put it is sometimes when you end your career, you're always looking for signs of, 'If I'm doing it right.' ___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba and https://twitter.com/AP_SportsCopyright 2022 The Associated Press.

The Dallas Mavericks have retired the No. 41 of franchise icon Dirk Nowitzki.

Oklahoma City rookie Josh Giddey became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double on Sunday night.

The NBA's five-game Christmas Day slate will be played as scheduled, but with many big names absent.

The NBA has called off five games for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday because of coronavirus-related concerns.

Rookie Austin Reaves swished a 3-pointer with 0.9 seconds left in overtime to give the Los Angeles Lakers a 107-104 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Mavericks Clippers Basketball Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) gets past Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe (12) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/John McCoy) (John McCoy)LOS ANGELES — (AP) — It would have been understandable if the Dallas Mavericks folded in overtime against the Los Angeles Clippers after blowing a 10-point lead. Dončić had 15 points in the period and four assists that resulted in 10 additional Mavericks points. TIP-INSMavericks: Dorian Finney-Smith, who had a season-high 17 points, scored eight points during a 16-5 run midway through the fourth to give Dallas a double-digit lead. Clippers: George missed his first five shots from the field and didn’t get his first basket until there was 1:44 remaining in the first half.

Kristaps Porzingis scored 30 points, Luka Dončić had 26 in his return to the Dallas lineup, and the Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 112-104 in overtime.

Mikal Bridges and Devin Booker each scored 19 points, Chris Paul added 18 points and 14 assists and the Phoenix Suns ran their winning streak to 11, rallying to beat the Dallas Mavericks 112-104 on Friday night.

Mavericks Hawks Basketball Atlanta Hawks Cam Reddish (22) celebrates after hitting a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.) (Hakim Wright Sr.)ATLANTA — (AP) — Cam Reddish scored 20 points, Trae Young added 19 and the Atlanta Hawks began a season of high expectations with a 113-87 rout of Luka Doncic and the Mavericks on Thursday night, ruining the debut of Dallas coach Jason Kidd. After a sluggish start, Young scored 12 points and dished out nine assists in the decisive period, drawing chants of "MVP! Reddish led a stellar effort from the deep Hawks bench, which contributed 44 points. The Mavericks were thoroughly miserable in their first game under Kidd, who had not been a head coach since he was fired in Milwaukee during the 2017-18 season.

Cam Reddish scored 20 points, Trae Young added 19 and the Atlanta Hawks opened the season with a 113-87 rout of the Mavericks to ruin the debut of Dallas coach Jason Kidd.

(AP Photo/Randall Benton) (Randall Benton)For the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, 75 players weren’t enough. The top 75 players in NBA history — and one more because of a tie in the voting — have been revealed, a group that has combined to win 158 NBA championships, earn 730 NBA All-Star selections and score more than 1.5 million points. The players were not ranked in order, and were announced over a three-day span randomly. And the league didn’t say which players wound up in that tie to determine the final spot. Dominique Wilkins was a notable omission from the 50th anniversary team but made the 75th anniversary team.

For the NBA’s 75th anniversary team, 75 players weren’t enough.

The Western Conference has the best regular season team from last year in Utah.

He did say Monday during NBA media day that all members of the Indiana coaching staff are fully vaccinated. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) (Ashley Landis)The latest from NBA media day on Monday (All times EDT)___4:15 p.m.Kawhi Leonard is heading into his third season with the Los Angeles Clippers just trying to get healthy. 2) don’t feel right.”___12:45 p.m.Kyrie Irving joined Brooklyn Nets media day via Zoom, repeatedly asking for privacy when pressed about his vaccination status. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day.

He did say Monday during NBA media day that all members of the Indiana coaching staff are fully vaccinated. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool, File) (Ashley Landis)The latest from NBA media day on Monday (All times EDT)___3:30 p.m.New Dallas coach Jason Kidd is already thinking of ways to tell Luka Doncic he has help on the roster. 2) don’t feel right.”___12:45 p.m.Kyrie Irving joined Brooklyn Nets media day via Zoom, repeatedly asking for privacy when pressed about his vaccination status. Training camps open Tuesday and the pandemic will affect a third NBA season and already means some players will be missing on media day.

Kawhi Leonard is heading into his third season with the Los Angeles Clippers just trying to get healthy.

The pandemic and vaccination rates were the talk of the NBA on media day Monday.

Mavericks Clippers Basketball FILE - In this May 22, 2021, file photo, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic smiles after scoring during the first half in Game 1 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers in Los Angeles. “How he recognized that it was always about the team winning and that was what was most important to him. Doncic was eligible for the massive payday because he made the All-NBA first team twice, in his second and third seasons. “I still kind of don’t know what to say because I never imagined this happening,” Doncic said. “We want him to know that we’re there for him whether it’s here in Slovenia or anywhere in the world.

Luka Doncic has signed the richest contract in the history of the Dallas Mavericks.

Luka Doncic is set to sign a $207 million supermax extension with the Dallas Mavericks.

Luka Doncic is making the Olympics look easy.

Jamahl Mosley has agreed to become the new coach of the Orlando Magic.

PORTLAND, Ore. — (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Chauncey Billups as their new coach. Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. “Portland is a special place and a unique franchise," Billups said in a statement Sunday night. The Blazers fired Terry Stotts shortly after the team was eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the playoffs. Stotts coached the Blazers for nine seasons, taking them to the playoffs in the last eight.

The Athletic reported that Billups had accepted the job but contract negotiations were ongoing. Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP and a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. The Blazers were also interested in Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, as well as San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon. Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd withdrew his name from consideration after it was reported that Blazers guard Damian Lillard had endorsed him for the job. Billups, 44, was hired as an assistant under Clippers coach Tyronn Lue last November.

Mavericks Kidd Basketball FILE- In this May 17, 2011, file photo, Dallas Mavericks' Rick Carlisle and Jason Kidd talk during Game 1 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas. Kidd is coming back to Dallas again, this time to replace the coach he won a championship with as the point guard of the Mavericks 10 years ago. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) (Eric Gay)DALLAS — (AP) — Jason Kidd is coming back to Dallas again, this time to replace the coach he won a championship with as the point guard of the Mavericks 10 years ago. Carlisle replaced Johnson, and the Mavericks won the championship in his third season with Kidd, who shared the leadership role with center Tyson Chandler while shooting guard Jason Terry was the No. The beloved Nowitzki had Kidd high on the list of reasons Dallas won a title.

Mavericks Kidd Basketball FILE- In this May 17, 2011, file photo, Dallas Mavericks' Rick Carlisle and Jason Kidd talk during Game 1 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas. Kidd is coming back to Dallas again, this time to replace the coach he won a championship with as the point guard of the Mavericks 10 years ago. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) (Eric Gay)DALLAS — (AP) — Jason Kidd is coming back to Dallas again, this time to replace the coach he won a championship with as the point guard of the Mavericks 10 years ago. Carlisle, who took the Indiana job Thursday, gave ESPN an unsolicited endorsement of Kidd for his old job because of the impact Carlisle thought Kidd could have on Luka Doncic, the sensational young point guard who carries the hopes of the Mavericks. Kidd was fired during his fourth season with the Bucks after first-round exits two of his first three years.

Jason Kidd is coming back to Dallas again, this time to replace the coach he won a championship with as the point guard of the Mavericks 10 years ago.

Kevin Durant had 49 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in one of the best performances in postseason history, sending the Brooklyn Nets back into the lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals with a 114-108 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 5.

The Blazers' disappointing early playoff departure is forcing the franchise to consider major moves to satisfy superstar Damian Lillard.

The Los Angeles Lakers simply need a rest after two NBA seasons that felt like one relentless grind only interrupted by a ring ceremony.

The Portland Trail Blazers and coach Terry Stotts are parting ways after nine seasons.