January 6, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, United States; Dallas Mavericks guard Quentin Grimes (5) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies guard Cam Spencer (24) defends during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Pictures
Life without star point guard Luka Doncic would likely be much more difficult for the Dallas Mavericks if it weren’t for Quentin Grimes.
Grimes has improved over the last seven games with Doncic sidelined by a left calf strain. Grimes will look to continue making his presence felt Thursday night when Dallas clashes with the visiting Portland Path Blazers.
The Mavericks are 2-5 since Doncic went down, but Grimes has given Dallas hope in the five-time All-Star’s absence. He has averaged 15.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4 assists in the seven games Doncic has missed, and most recently posted team highs in points (23) and rebounds (nine) while dishing out six assists in the 1-0 win. 118-97 over Los Angeles. Lakers on Tuesday.
What made the performance against Los Angeles even more impressive was the fact that Grimes came off the bench. A 6-of-11 performance from beyond the arc led to 18 of his points, and the 24-year-old has made 18 of 46 3-point attempts (39.1 percent) over the last seven games.
“Luka will be out for a while, (Kyrie Irving) will be out for a while, so staying strong as a team (is the goal),” Grimes said. “Having two superstars out, it definitely gives me more opportunity to be more aggressive with my shot and just make plays.
“There are more opportunities for everyone.”
Irving has missed three straight games and four of the last five due to a host of issues, including shoulder and back injuries and illness. He will not play on Thursday.
Doncic is expected to return later this month at the earliest.
Unlike the Mavericks, who have typically relied on two stars in Doncic and Irving, Portland has relied on a balanced attack. That was the case Wednesday when the Path Blazers had six scorers in double figures in a 119-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
Deni Avdija led Portland with 26 points, while Shaedon Sharpe finished with 21 and Anfernee Simons 17.
Although he didn’t fill the stat sheet, reserve Robert Williams III still made an impact (four points, six rebounds, four blocks) in 16 minutes of action after not playing in six of the previous seven games. Ankle injuries plagued the big man before Path Blazers coach Chauncey Billups decided not to play him some nights.
However, Billups could be planning to use Williams more to take some pressure off of Deandre Ayton and Donovan Clingan.
“He just makes a difference,” Billups said of Williams. “It really is. His feel for the game, his instincts are at a high, high, high level. His IQ is at a high, high, high level.”
Clingan had the day off when Portland played New Orleans, but is expected to return for the game with Dallas.
Thursday will mark the fourth and final battle between the teams this season. The Mavericks beat the Path Blazers twice before Portland bounced back with a 126-122 victory on December 28.
–Media at field level
