The Dallas Mavericks endured a rough night on Monday, March 3, 2025, falling 122-98 at home to the Sacramento Kings. The game was marred by injuries, with Kyrie Irving exiting in the first quarter due to a knee issue and Jaden Hardy suffering an ankle sprain.
Despite the setbacks, newly signed two-way player Kai Jones provided a spark, scoring a career-high 21 points in his Mavericks debut. A former Texas Longhorn, Jones was brought in to bolster the team’s frontcourt depth after injuries to key big men. The Mavericks signed him after waiving center Kylor Kelley, per the NBA G League.
Previously with the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers, Jones wasted no time making an impact, shooting 9-of-10 from the field and grabbing eight rebounds.
Jones’ presence added much-needed vertical spacing, addressing a void left by injuries to Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. Reflecting on his performance, Jones said:
“I think I can be a great NBA player, really,” Jones told reporters, per Clutch Points. “Because I can do all different coverages. I can blitz, I can switch, I can drop. I can block shots, really active on defense… I feel like I could have blocked a few more shots tonight (Jones had one block on Monday night)… And then on offense, I’m real versatile, efficient.”
Kai Jones went off in his @dallasmavs debut! The #GLeagueAlum recorded a career-high in scoring, grabbed a season-high in rebounds, and shot an almost perfect 90% from the field. 💪 pic.twitter.com/7LW2zOnAfX
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) March 4, 2025
Logging over 33 minutes, Jones quickly earned coach Jason Kidd’s trust and is expected to play a crucial role moving forward:
“He was great,” Kidd said. “He was great, just got here… Both being able to score and run the floor, rebound for us in the 30 minutes that he played.”
Former Texas Forward has 11 more games of NBA eligibility under his two-way contract and will be a key piece as the Mavericks navigate their injury struggles while pushing for a postseason spot.
Dallas, currently 10th in the Western Conference at 32-30, will face the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns.
Mavericks signed Kai Jones, who was waived this month
The Dallas Mavericks have signed center Kai Jones to a Two-Way contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
In a corresponding move, the Mavericks have requested waivers on Two-Way center Kylor Kelley, who was waived on March 1.
KAI JONES IN HIS FIRST GAME WITH THE DALLAS MAVERICKS ON HIS TWO-WAY CONTRACT 💪
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) March 4, 2025
📊 21 PTS (career-high), 9 REB, 1 BLK, 9/10 FGM, 1 TOV, 34 MIN, LOSS
24 years old & BOUNCY! How will he fit in Dallas? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/H5Ip4FMEDP
Jones, 24, joins Dallas after playing 28 games for the Clippers in the 2024-25 season. Originally selected 19th overall by New York in the 2021 NBA Draft, his rights were traded to Charlotte, where he spent two seasons with the Hornets. During that time, he played alongside current Mavericks forward P.J. Washington Jr. from 2021-23.
Before entering the NBA, the 6-foot-11 center played two seasons at the University of Texas, earning Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year honors and an All-Big 12 honorable mention in 2021.
Jones wears jersey No. 23 for the Mavericks.
READ: Mavs’ Kyrie Irving Out After Awkward Fall Leads to Knee Sprain vs. Kings
I am a writer passionate about telling the stories behind the game of basketball. From the culture and personalities shaping the sport to the moments that define it, I explore basketball beyond the box score.
