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**The Dallas Mavericks are pretty close to hitting rock bottom. **

The Dallas Mavericks just lost at home to the New Orleans Pelicans who were missing Zion Williamson and who were playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

With the loss, the Mavericks are now 2-6 and in last place in the Western Conference.

To make matters worse, the team is missing their top two stars with Kyrie Irving out with a torn ACL and Anthony Davis sidelined with a left calf strain.

Twelve months ago the Mavericks were thriving with Luka Doncic and now they are in shambles.

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The Dallas Mavericks benched Klay Thompson for D’Angelo Russell

The Mavericks tried to ignite a spark and changed things up before their matchup against the Pelicans.

They benched Klay Thompson in place of D’Angelo Russell, who made his first start of the 2025-26 season.

Thompson has struggled this season averaging just 8.1 points on 31.8 percent shooting from the field and 26.2 percent from three.

In this game Thompson actually outscored Russell, dropping 11 points in 21 minutes. Meanwhile, Russell scored 9 points in 21 minutes of action.

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Klay Thompson could become frustrated with the Dallas Mavericks

As if the Mavericks season didn’t have enough problems, they could have another one brewing with Thompson.

One of the biggest reasons why Thompson ultimately decided to leave the Golden State Warriors was because he didn’t want to come off the bench and have a lesser role.

Now a few years later, Thompson is coming off the bench and is in a lesser role with the Mavericks.

If the Mavericks continue to bench Thompson, he could grow tired of the situation and want out.