"Playing with a lot of stress": Dallas' $32,000,000 Guard Drops Truth Bomb on What's Really Hurting Cooper Flagg's Mavericks 

The Dallas Mavericks dropped to 1-3 to start the season after losing to the defending champions OKC Thunder, on Monday. The Mavericks trailed by as much as 22 points, but went within one point in the final minute before the Thunder ultimately held them off.

According to Max Christie, who is earning $32,000,000 in his current contract per Spotrac, the Mavericks have been playing with a lot of stress to start the season. He also believes that the team should do a better job in managing the stress as the season goes by.

Mike Curtis

@MikeACurtis2

Max Christie said it feels like the Mavs are playing "with a lot of stress" and that they need to do a better job of alleviating that stress.

Aside from the Thunder, whose squad is undefeated in four games so far, the Mavericks lost to the San Antonio Spurs, led by Victor Wembanyama, in their season opener, before yielding to the Washington Wizards in an early-season upset.

Christie has been solid for Dallas, averaging 11.7 points for the team, as the Mavericks' rookie Cooper Flagg continues to struggle this season.

Against the Thunder, Flagg put up his worst performance so far, putting up just two points on 1-of-9 shooting from the field. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said that the 19-year-old rookie played through a shoulder soreness in the game.

Anthony Davis has been the heavy lifting for the Mavericks this season, recording 24.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks per game.

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Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd calls for fans' patience amid rough start

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd hopes the team's fanbase show patience for the team amid a rough start this season.

According to Kidd, the team is still understanding each other and improving each game, after fans continued their "Fire Nico" chants in their home games.

"I think they have a right to vent, but there's a patience [needed]," Kidd said. "It's a different team, it's a new team. We're just getting to understand each other. We're going to keep learning each other."

"So I would say be patient, but I understand the frustration. We all want to win. We all want to compete at a high level, but it's a game of expression, and fans have a right to express themselves. But that doesn't stop us from coming to work tomorrow and getting better."

Notably, the Mavericks remained without veteran guard Kyrie Irving, who is still recovering from a torn ACL he sustained late last season.

The team will next face the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, Oct. 29.