**Dallas Mavericks Start Season 0-2 After Loss to Washington Wizards**
The Dallas Mavericks fell to 0-2 to begin the 2025-26 season with a 117-107 loss to the Washington Wizards on Friday night. Entering the game with high expectations—especially against a Washington team expected to struggle—the Mavericks were unable to find their rhythm on defense while their offense struggled with ball control, committing 21 turnovers.
One key point of discussion is the limited playing time of D’Angelo Russell. Despite the Mavericks’ ongoing issues with turnovers and playmaking, Russell only received 8 minutes and 30 seconds on the court during the game. Head coach Jason Kidd explained his decision after the game, saying, “I think the group that got us back in the game was the group we were gonna go with. He wasn’t part of that.”
Russell, signed by Dallas during the offseason, was initially expected to help fill the point guard role in place of Kyrie Irving, who is recovering from ACL surgery and not expected back until early 2026. There was speculation that Russell might even start, but the Mavericks instead chose rookie Cooper Flagg to start at point guard on both opening night and Friday.
The immediate assumption was that Russell would take on a significant role off the bench, but that has yet to materialize. With playmaking and ball movement continuing to be a problem, and turnovers compounding the issue, many feel that Russell deserves more opportunities on the floor. At this stage, increased minutes for him appear less like an option and more like a necessity.
While the Mavericks’ defense has struggled to find consistency, the team has the potential to be a top-10 defensive unit in the NBA. However, if the offense cannot generate reliable scoring opportunities, the season could become challenging regardless of how the defense evolves.
The Mavericks look to rebound in their next game on Sunday night against the Toronto Raptors. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/dallas-mavericks/mavericks-dangelo-russell-problem-snubbed-jason-kidd