6 Dallas Mavericks players who must play better to beat the Clippers

5. Dante Exum

Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum's struggles to begin the 2024 NBA Playoffs have undoubtedly been the most shocking development from either team to begin this series. Exum is someone who was heavily relied on during the regular season and even had an amazing run as a starter, but he has been a no-show since the playoffs began.

So far in the playoffs, Exum is averaging 0.8 points and 1.0 rebounds per game while shooting 9.1 percent from the field and 0 percent from downtown. Exum was statistically the best shooter on the team this season and was automatic off the catch, and now it looks like he doesn't even want the ball in his hands.

Exum looks like he is playing scared, and all of the confidence that he gained throughout the season is gone. There is no assertiveness in his game right now, and he has looked like a deer in headlights in the limited playing time that he has gotten in this series.

Exum played just two minutes in Dallas' Game 4 loss, and he could very well be out of the rotation for the rest of the series, but he does need to find a way to make an impact offensively if the Mavs are going to play him at all.

Exum's struggles at the end of the season were worrisome, but I don't think that anyone thought he would nearly be unplayable in the playoffs.