Dwight Powell Winds Back the Clock in Mavericks Defeat

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. After Marvin Bagley III was limited to eight minutes last night due to “left shoulder impingement,” Dallas Mavericks fans were treated to a vintage Dwight Powell performance. The Mavericks stalwart has been with the team through the highs and lows. His carrying of Mavs DNA is universally recognized. The penultimate game of the season ended in a 139-120 whooping by the San Antonio Spurs. Rookie ace Cooper Flagg dropped an impressive 33 points, but it was Powell’s 25 minutes of throwback perfection that captured the hearts of those who tuned in.

Dwight Powell Winds Back the Clock in Mavericks Defeat

What was set to be a classic bench riding session for Dwight Powell was transformed after Bagley’s injury early in the game. Powell, who has notched 762 games for the Mavericks, was once the recipient of ire for many fed-up fans. This perspective, however, has shifted as his tenure continues to extend. He is a perfect locker room guy. His impact extends greatly beyond the court. Even in street clothes, there is not a fan in the stands who will cheer as loudly for the team as DP.

While he does not have many remarkable games, I defy you to find a horrid showing from the Canadian big man. When the standout games do come around, though, it’s a special reminder of how much Powell means to the Mavericks, and how much the Mavericks mean to him.

The Box Score

4 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and a block. Bonafide backbone performance. Powell has never been a guy who prioritizes putting the ball in the hoop. In the modern game of basketball, scoring has been fetishized to no end.  However, what we saw from Powell was a man who knows his place and how to work with what he has.

Powell played real team basketball. His veteran IQ allowed him to fulfill his purpose: allow the rookies and upcoming stars to play their own game. With a career average of 4.2 RPG, finishing a game with double-digit rebounds is notable for Powell. He steps up when he needs to, but also allows others to play their natural game. He got involved in the dirty work against the Spurs and showed off his playmaking with five assists.

Old-Head Impact

Powell’s involvement allowed the Mavs’ young guns to let loose and build confidence in the dying embers of the season. Flagg, Ryan Nembhard, John Poulakidas, AJ Johnson and Max Christie all scored in double figures, proving the chemistry in this young core. Fellow “unc” Khris Middleton also got in on the fun, helping Powell show the youngsters how it’s done with 14 points of his own.

One of the very few joys of watching a rebuilding franchise is seeing veteran knowledge merge with raw, young talent. How much of that aged wisdom will remain in Dallas beyond the offseason remains to be seen. Regardless of what the future holds, it’s clear playing with Powell has created a great new generation of Dallas Mavericks.

He’s been to the Finals and in the doldrums of the draft lottery. Played with a smattering of NBA greats and journeymen. While he has never been an All-Star, his heart is world-class. The last current Maverick to play with Dirk Nowitzki knows the weight of his assignment. And if all goes well, his name may be in the rafters next to the German. Even with refuted reports of retirement, this may be the last great Powell game. And boy was it awesome.