The Dallas Mavericks’ 2024-25 season has been a brutal mix of tragedy and heartbreak. Less than a year after their NBA Finals run, the franchise sent shockwaves through the league by trading away superstar Luka Dončić—a move that alienated fans already frustrated with rising ticket prices.
But the turmoil didn’t stop there. Just a week later, Anthony Davis—acquired in the Dončić deal—suffered an abductor strain in his Mavericks debut. Then, Kyrie Irving’s season abruptly ended with a torn ACL.
Despite the chaos, the Mavericks fought their way into the Play-In Tournament, fueled by the returns of Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford. Their 120-106 win over the Sacramento Kings kept their slim playoff hopes alive—but the real story was the emergence of an unexpected contributor: point guard Brandon Williams.
In just 18 minutes, Williams delivered 17 points, five assists, and zero turnovers while shooting an efficient 5-of-8 from the field (3-of-4 from deep) and a perfect 4-of-4 at the line. His +24 plus/minus was the best on the team, earning praise from ESPN’s Bobby Marks, who tweeted: “Brandon Williams might be the best $47K a team has spent at the end of the regular season.”
The 6’1” guard, once an undrafted G League prospect, struggled early in his career due to inefficiency and size concerns. But after a year on a two-way deal with Dallas, he earned a standard contract—and his debut performance suggested he might be more than just a stopgap. Williams credits Kyrie Irving for mentoring him, saying, “I call [Kyrie] about anything—advice, questions, whatever. He’s always there for me.”
If Williams keeps playing like this, he could carve out a real role in Dallas—maybe even alongside Irving when he returns. For a team in desperate need of bright spots, this young guard might be a rare silver lining.
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