Dallas Mavericks fall to Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas Summer League

The Dallas Mavericks were up against it on Sunday afternoon. They lost three straight in Las Vegas after dropping a heartbreaker to the Nuggets in overtime on Aug. 14. The Mavericks had to bounce back and face the undefeated Kings on the second of a back-to-back on Sunday afternoon.

Dallas also had just nine healthy players entering the contest. Josh Green is being held out after winning a bronze medal with Australia in the Olympic Games. Tyrell Terry and Tariq Owens both suffered injuries against the Jazz on Wednesday evening and were held out of the Mavs’ last two games. EJ Onu went down with a knee injury in the second half of Sunday’s game. It was a difficult hill to climb on Aug. 15.

The Mavericks were in the game until the fourth quarter when Sacramento poured it on for an 86-70 Sacramento win. Dallas dropped their fourth straight contest, but there were still some positive takeaways. Here is a closer look at the team’s performance.

Dallas Mavericks fall to Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas Summer League

It was a back-and-forth start before a late Kings run had Sacramento up by seven after the first quarter. Eugene Omoruyi had four points in the opening ten minutes, including this beautiful one-legged fadeaway that was shades of Dirk Nowitzki.

Dallas had a rough finish to the second quarter as the Kings pushed their lead to eight at the half. The Mavericks were spreading the offense around. Carlik Jones led the way with eight points. Devontae Shuler had seven with Omoruyi putting in six. Dallas was just two of 12 from 3-point range and was struggling from the field. They hoped to bounce back in the second half.

This Nate Hinton 3-pointer was part of a 9-0 run to open the third quarter that put Dallas ahead.

The Kings punched back to take a five-point advantage into the fourth quarter. Dallas needed a strong ten minutes to get their first win of the Las Vegas Summer League.

Sacramento dominated the fourth quarter to take home the victory. The Mavericks just ran out of gas on the second of a back-to-back to lose their fourth straight game in Las Vegas. They are competing hard, but just do not have enough healthy talent at this point.

Nate Hinton headed to the bench holding his back in the fourth quarter. Hopefully, the injury is not serious and the 22-year-old will be able to play in the team’s final game. He finished with ten points, eight rebounds, and one steal in 24 minutes against the Kings.

Eugene Omoruyi was involved in a fourth-quarter scuffle after a hard foul that saw him and Chimezie Metu ejected. Omoruyi finished with seven points, five rebounds in 24 minutes of action. It was the 24-year-old’s worst game in Las Vegas, but the 6’6 wing’s versatility has the organization intrigued.

The Dallas Mavericks will have one more game in the Las Vegas Summer League. The injuries are piling up, but the team continues competing hard. Fans will have one last chance to see what Nate Hinton and Eugene Omoruyi can do before training camp begins in September. Do not miss it.