3 studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' second-straight preseason loss to Timberwolves

After having a slow start in their first preseason game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 5, the Dallas Mavericks struggled out of the gate once again on Saturday. Dallas ended up losing 104-96, marking their second-straight loss.

It was Dallas' second and final game of their two-game series against Minnesota in Abu Dhabi, and Dallas still struggled with some of the same things that they struggled with last game.

Starting slow out of the preseason is normal, but Dallas has to get out of this funk before the regular season starts. Despite struggling on the floor, Dallas is getting plenty of bonding time in, as they've helped with a basketball camp, rode camels through the desert, and played plenty of NBA 2K24.

3 studs, 2 duds from Mavericks' second-straight preseason loss to Timberwolves

The game on Saturday was unwatchable at times, but fans are just happy that Mavs basketball is back.

Here are three studs and two duds from the Mavs' second-straight preseason loss.

Honorable mention: Grant Williams

Despite only finishing with six points, Mavs forward Grant Williams deserves a spot on this list.

Williams always seemed to be in the right spot on defense, and he was always ready to shoot. He will need to convert more of his 3-point attempts during the regular season, as he will be getting countless open looks playing next to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but his play in the preseason is a decent start.

He also has displayed some streakiness, both good and bad, and once Williams cans a three, another one typically follows.

Williams brings the intensity, physicality, and leadership that the Mavs need, and fans should be excited about Dallas' new 3-and-D wing.

5. Stud - Luka Doncic

Luka Doncic was doing Luka Doncic things in Saturday's game against Minnesota.

Doncic has improved every season since being in the league, and his offseason work has been evident during both of the Mavericks' preseason games. He focussed on conditioning and cutting his weight some this summer, and he didn't come into the season overweight as he had in the past.

Luka's step-back threes looked good, and he ended up scoring 18 points in the first half. He also went 6-7 from the free-throw line, and that will hopefully transition into him being a consistent free-throw shooter during the regular season.

This is an area that he has struggled with during his five-year NBA career, and it's one part of his game that could take him to the next level if he can become a great free-throw shooter.

Doncic's passing was also on point, as he always seems to find the open shooter on the perimeter. He and Lively II connected on a lob in the first half as well, and that is something that fans will love to see during the regular season.

Doncic's in-between game also looked good, as he scored well on drives and used his body well to create space.

Luka's first two preseason games indicated that he is ready for a great season, and his elevated play could take Dallas to another level.

4. Dud - Olivier-Maxence Prosper

After a hard start to his NBA career on Thursday, Prosper had another rough game on Saturday.

In Thursday's game, Prosper went 0-3 from the field and finished with one point, one rebound, and one turnover in 18 minutes as a starter. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd put Prosper in the starting lineup for the first game to see how he fit next to Lua Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Grant Williams, and that may have been the last chance for Prosper to start for a while.

Kidd elected to start Josh Green on the wing Saturday, and he looked much better than Prosper did.

In Saturday's game, Prosper scored 5 points while shooting 2-10 from the field and 0-5 from 3-point range. Prosper will need to hit open shots to be a consistent rotation piece for Dallas, and he hasn't done that yet. Prosper even airballed a three in this game.

Prosper did show his trademark hustle, as he pulled down three offensive rebounds, but he has to be better as a shooter to be effective. He did display some flashes as a scorer off the dribble, hitting a one-legged fadeaway in the first half.

Prosper has a long way to go to be a consistent rotation piece for Dallas, but the potential is still undoubtedly there. It's preseason.

3. Stud - Dante Exum

When the Dallas Mavericks signed Dante Exum to a two-year contract this summer, it was a move that confused some fans. He had been overseas for two years, he struggled during his time in the NBA, and Dallas had enough guards.

Dallas needed another defensive wing at the time of the signing, but Exum is proving that he belongs in the Mavericks' rotation through two preseason games. In Saturday's matchup, Exum finished with five points, five assists, and two rebounds.

Dallas needed a true point guard to bring off the bench, and Exum looks like he can be that. Dallas' bench seemed like it was just filled with true scorers such as Seth Curry, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Jaden Hardy.

Exum's balance of scoring, passing, and defense is something that Dallas needs, and he is someone that they can lean on. He displayed his ability to be a facilitator, and he made the right play when the ball was in his hands.

Kidd praised Exum's play before Saturday's game and stated that he would be in Dallas' 10-man rotation if the season started right now.

Exum is a massive upgrade of Frank Ntilikina, and he will be someone that Dallas will need to be the leader of the second unit.

2. Dud - Dwight Powell

Dwight Powell was Dallas' starting center for the last few years, and his performance over the last two games and the performances of those around him may have ended his tenure as the Mavericks' starting center.

Powell didn't have an awful game by any means, as he finished with two points and two rebounds, but his lack of rim protection was evident in this game. He can't stop anyone in the post, and he doesn't deter shots around the basket.

Rim protection is crucial for centers, and Dallas hasn't had an elite one since Tyson Chandler left. Powell provides no rim protection on the floor, and that could be one of the reasons that "momentum" is building within the Mavericks organization for Lively II to be Dallas' starting center for the regular season.

Lively II is a stout rim protector, and although he did give up some buckets around the rim on Saturday, he is clearly better than Powell.

Powell hasn't officially lost his starting job yet, and he could end up starting once opening night rolls around, but he is fully bought into whatever role Dallas gives him.

He is a team-first player, and Powell will bring positive vibes and leadership whether he is a starter or not.

1. Stud - Jaden Hardy

This summer, there were some predictions by a Mavericks Insider that Jaden Hardy would be outside of Dallas' rotation.

Dallas added some solid guards over the offseason, and he just thought that Hardy would get lost in the rotation. Despite that prediction, Hardy has proved that he is still an elite isolation scorer, and his ability to shoot off the catch is one of the best on the team.

In Saturday's game, Hardy finished with 22 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Hardy did end up having six turnovers, but it must be considered that this is a preseason game, and Hardy is only in his second season.

When he is leaned upon to handle the ball as much as he is, turnovers and missed shots will happen. Dallas made him the main ball handler during Summer League, and let him go through the growing pains.

This tactic could prove to be effective for Dallas, as he won't have to handle the ball as much during the regular season, and will be ready when his number is called.

His ability to be an off-ball threat combined with his elite abilities as an isolation scorer will make him indispensable for Dallas this season in his role off the bench.