Kemba Walker Turns Back The Clock In First Start With Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks gambled when they signed Kemba Walker at the end of November. The former four-time All-Star, with a history of knee injuries, was out of the league. But Dallas was desperate for a complementary point guard, and Walker was available.

Saturday night in Cleveland, on the second night of a back-to-back with three starters out, Walker got his first real opportunity to play. While the Mavericks came up short in a 100-99 overtime loss to the Cavaliers, Walker started the game, played significant minutes and showed flashes of the guard he once was.

“I felt pretty good. We’ll see how I feel tomorrow,” Walker told the media after the game. “It’s been a long time. I felt really good out there, really good.”

Walker paced the Mavericks all night, playing nearly 42 minutes. He finished the night with a game-high 32 points, five rebounds and seven assists while connecting on 12 of his 25 shots. His biggest shot of the game came with 3.5 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, with Dallas trailing by two.

With Cavaliers’ center Jarrett Allen guarding him on the right wing, Walker made a few crossover dribbles and easily got by Allen. He had a clear path to the rim at that point and laid the ball in to tie the game at 96. His bucket would eventually force overtime.

“I thought Kemba did an incredible job running the offense, getting guys involved, putting pressure on their defense,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “He had the ball late, got to the free throw line.”

Before Saturday night, Walker had appeared in just two games since joining the Mavericks, playing a little more than 32 minutes overall and scoring 14 points. His 32-point outburst was the most he’s scored in a game since December 23, 2021, when he dropped 44 points on the Washington Wizards as a member of the New York Knicks.

“I really just do what I’m asked,” Walker said. “That’s what I’m here for, to fill in any role that they need me to play. Whenever my name is called, I just try to be ready.”

Walker was ready Saturday night. Whether his performance is enough to warrant more playing time is for Kidd to decide, but for one night at least, Walker was able to turn back the clock, put on a dazzling performance and make the Mavericks’ gamble look worth the risk.