Dwight Powell has been through just about everything in his 11 NBA seasons, including leading the league in hits to the face per minute played.
His noggin has been elbowed, slapped, head-butted and just about everything else.
“He’s not afraid to get hit in the head,” coach Jason Kidd said Friday. “He’s not afraid of the physicality.”
And he’s also not afraid of any role the Mavericks might need from him. He’ll embrace them all, which has been important lately.
In the past two games, he’s been the backup center behind Daniel Gafford. This comes after he played a grand total of 3 minutes, 49 seconds in the first four games this season. That included the visit to Minnesota where he didn’t play at all.
But Powell’s professionalism doesn’t allow him to do his job any differently whether he’s playing or on the sideline cheering for his teammates. He’s been that way for the entirety of his career, which started in Boston in 2014, but quickly redirected to Dallas when he was traded to the Mavericks with Rajon Rondo during his rookie season.
“This is a team of 18 guys,” Powell said before the Mavericks and Phoenix Suns battled Friday. “Everybody’s got a job they got to do, night in and night out. And that job doesn’t always show up in the box score.
“That doesn’t mean that you still don’t have to do it to the best of your ability. On the nights when it does show up in the box score, be ready to roll.”
And Powell has been as the Mavericks have needed him in the past two games. He had five points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals in 20 minutes against Chicago on Wednesday. On Friday, his showing against the Suns was typically Dwight Powell. He had only four points and six rebounds, but he took a charge in the middle of the fourth quarter and had another key defensive stop that kept the Mavericks in front of what eventually became a 114-113 Phoenix victory.
“A lot of it does not show up in the box score,” Powell said of his work on (and off) the court. “That doesn’t mean your job isn’t important. Whether that’s helping prepare, whether that’s staying ready, defending, scoring, passing. You got to know your role and do your best every day to improve in that role.”
That’s good advice in any walk of life.
For the Mavericks, Powell has been a valued asset. Nobody is more committed to helping with community projects. And on the court, he is the kind of player every team needs.
“He’s a true pro,” Kidd said. “He comes to work. He can help us. He’s been in this league a long time, He does everything to try to help the team win. If he’s not playing, he’s over there cheering. When he’s not cheering, he’s working in the gym waiting for his opportunity to play.”
And he’s been doing it for a long time. Powell was the starting center in 2022 when the Mavericks went to the Western Conference finals. He’s never been flashy, averaged above 10 points per game only one season (10.6 in 2018-19).
But times like now, when the Mavericks are missing big men Dereck Lively II (right shoulder sprain), P.J. Washington (right knee) and Maxi Kleber (right hamstring), the team is reminded just how important Powell is.
“Him on the depth chart could be the third center or the fourth center,” Kidd said. “Or even the fifth center with P.J. Now he’s the backup. It (injuries) gives others an opportunity to play.”
Powell has been ready.
And, by the way, he’s hoping to continue to be ready. Powell’s new contract – signed in the summer – takes him through the 2025-26 season.
And while Canada and Toronto will always be home, Dallas very much is now his adopted hometown. He got traded before he could grow any sort or roots in Boston, and he never dreamed his time in Dallas would last this long.
“I obviously learned the business side of the league pretty quick in terms of realizing that things change quick,” he said. “I was very fortunate to land here and be able to stay as long as I have.
“I could never say that I expected it. But I love Dallas. It’s an amazing city to live in and an even better city to live in. I’ve been very fortunate to get to know this city and for the (people) to get to know me. Very lucky.”
The Mavericks feel the same way at times like this when injuries have hit.
Luka like a ‘great quarterback’: Phoenix coach Mike Budenholzer is in his first season as the Suns’ leader after stops in Atlanta and Milwaukee.
He said coaching in the Western Conference now has meant zeroing in on different players than he had to deal with at his previous coaching stops in the Eastern Conference.
But some things never change. And while opponents haven’t been double-teaming Luka Dončić as much this season, Budenholzer doesn’t necessarily that’s the hard-and-fast way to try to defend the Mavericks’ superstar.
“We’re always adjusting to each other and my guess is he and they will figure it out and we’ll have to try something different,” Budenholzer said. “He’s like a great quarterback, one coverage is not going to last very long probably. He tests you. He puts you in a lot of tough spots.
“What we do on him is maybe not that much different than our base coverage. Obviously, he’s unique and special with what he can do, but it’s always changing and I think to ever feel like it’s going to stay the same on any great player is probably (misguided), but we’ll see.”
Briefly: Attending the game courtside Friday was Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 golfer who lives in Dallas . . . In addition to their three big men who were out, the Mavericks also were without Dante Exum, who is out indefinitely after right wrist surgery in the preseason . . . Naji Marshall started his second game in a row with Washington out and so far the Mavericks have been pleased with what the 6-7 Marshall has given them, whether it be off the bench or in the opening lineup. “He’s been great,” Kidd said. “I think he’s comfortable now. We’re asking him to start, but he’s a basketball player. But if you ask him to come off the bench, he’s up for that. We’re lucky to have him on our side.” . . . The Mavericks’ hottest ticket this season, home or away, is the upcoming visit to Golden State, which will mark Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area where he was part of four NBA championships. Average ticket price: $388. In addition, the Warriors are giving away captain’s hats to all fans who attend the game in honor of Thompson’s affinity for taking his boat out on the bay and occasionally taking it to the Chase Center. Apparently, a lot of Mavericks’ fans will be on hand for Thompson’s return. According to information supplied by Vivid Seats marketplace, fans are traveling 497 miles, on average, to the Chase Center in San Francisco to catch the game, which will also be the Mavericks’ first in-season tournament game.
X: @ESefko
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