Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Jason Kidd's Serious Message to Mavericks Amid Bad Start to NBA Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Nov 11, 2025 7:55 AM ET

The Dallas Mavericks dropped to 3-8 on the season after a tough 116-114 loss at home to the Milwaukee Bucks.

Cooper Flagg put Dallas on top with less than 30 seconds left after he hit a layup, but Ryan Rollins scored a layup right after to give Milwaukee the lead once again.

Kyle Kuzma then threw down a dunk after stealing the ball from PJ Washington, and the Mavericks lost for the fifth time in the last six games.

Dallas is now second-to-last in the Western Conference standings and just half a game above the New Orleans Pelicans, who have just two wins this year.

Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd.Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

After the game, Kidd said the "defense is doing okay" and then sent a message to the team amid the ongoing struggles this year.

“We can’t be happy that our [defense] is 4th, we would like if that was our offense," Kidd said, via Abby Jones of DLLS SPORTS. "Defense has kept us in the game but our offense has to be better.”

“Defense is doing okay” says Jason Kidd with a defensive rating 4th in the NBA.

He also shares, “we can’t be happy that our [defense] is 4th, we woukd like if that was our offense. Defense has kept us in the game but our offense has to be better.” pic.twitter.com/TE3btow0qi
— Abby Jones (@_abigaiiiil) November 11, 2025

The Mavericks have failed to cross the 100-point threshold three times this season, and they sit 30th in the NBA in points scored.

Dallas is also 30th in three-point percentage, 29th in three-pointers made and 27th in assists, so there are a lot of glaring issues this season.

On November 5, they were dead last in offensive rating.

The Dallas Mavericks have a 104.0 Offensive Rating which is last in the NBA by nearly 2 full points.

It would've been around League Average in 2012 pic.twitter.com/zyl2Oq5hck
— Nick Angstadt (@NickVanExit) November 5, 2025