Mavericks' unexpected breakout guard is their only hope of saving the season

The Dallas Mavericks are headed in the wrong direction. The team has lost seven of its last eight games and is on a five-game losing streak. Their most recent loss came against the Phoenix Suns on Sunday afternoon. Dallas struggled to contain the paint, as the Suns scored 68 points inside. Phoenix had 20 points in the paint by the end of the first quarter.

Injuries are one of the main reasons for the Mavs' struggles. Dallas is already without their big men Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II. All three continue to be evaluated, as there is no set timeline for their return. The Mavs got more disappointing news last week when Olivier-Maxence Prosper was announced out for the season with a wrist injury. He will be needing surgery, further weakening the team's forward position.

Dallas's injury woes took a hit Sunday when young guard Brandon Williams was ruled out of the game with hamstring tightness. Dwight Powell also left the game; he bumped into Kessler Edwards head-on. The two collided chasing a loose ball. Edwards returned to the game, but Powell never returned. It's clear the Mavs deeply miss former trainer Casey Smith, and both Powell and Edwards needed stitches according to Jason Kidd.

Marshall is Dallas' unexpected savior for remainder of season

Yet, even with injuries taking their toll, not all hope is lost for Dallas. The team currently holds a game-and-a-half lead over the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in spot. They also remain three games behind the LA Clippers for the eighth spot and four games from the Minnesota Timberwolves for the seventh spot. Dallas also has the easiest strength of schedule over the Phoenix Suns.

Assuming Dallas does sneak into the play-in, it would be on the hope and shoulders of Naji Marshall. His production over the last couple of games has kept the Mavs competitive. Against the Suns on Sunday, he scored a career-high 34 points. He shot 59.1 percent from the field and finished with a double-double with 10 assists. He recorded another double-double the game prior, scoring 29 points and reeling in 17 rebounds.

So, what's been the difference for Marshall?

Over the past two games, Marshall has played above 40 minutes in each game. This is a difference from last month, when he averaged 26.6 minutes per game. This means that the more minutes he plays, the higher his production level will be. For example, as a starter this season, Marshall is averaging 14 points per game and 5.6 rebounds.

His level of production has already exceeded last year's numbers. During the 2023-24 season, he averaged 7.1 points per game and 3.6 rebounds. As a member of the New Orleans Pelicans, Marshall struggled to find consistency. However, it seems the Mavs may have cracked his code.

As long as Marshall's minutes continue to increase, so will his production. He is a dual-threat player who can play on both ends of the court. Offensively, he can create his own shot. Marshall isn't afraid to shoot the ball from long range or attack the basket. He can use his body and speed to get easy buckets inside.

Defensively, Marshall isn't afraid to use his hands. He goes a great job making things difficult for shooters with his length. Against the Suns on Sunday, he recorded two key steals. This is the second straight game he has averaged double steals. Marshall is currently averaging 2.3 steals in March.

The team will need him to continue playing at a high level as injuries continue to strike. Dallas is expected to be limited on players on Monday, so the team could heavily rely on Marshall to carry the team. Simply put, the Mavs' injury struggles could be a blessing in disguise for Marshall.

Regardless of if Dallas makes the playoffs or not, Marshall getting this much playing time and being this involved in the offense is only going to help his development. He will likely end up having a major role off the bench for Dallas again next season, and this final month of the season will be pivotal in his development.

Signing Marshall this past offseason, is one gamble that has paid off for the Dallas Mavericks and Nico Harrison.