Instant Reactions: Ryan Nembhard arrives

Ryan Nembhard didn’t hear his name called on draft night, but that hasn’t stopped him from carving out a place in the NBA.

While the Mavericks used the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft on Cooper Flagg, they quietly signed Nembhard to a two-way deal afterward. On Monday night against the Denver Nuggets, that signing paid off.

Nembhard delivered the best performance of his young career, finishing with 28 points, 10 assists and zero turnovers in a 131–121 Mavericks win. The undrafted rookie shot 12-of-14 from the field and controlled the game’s pace throughout.

His breakout helped lift a Dallas offense that entered the night with the NBA’s worst offensive rating (106.9). Against Denver, the Mavericks posted a 128.2 offensive rating, one of their most efficient outings of the season.

Anthony Davis added 32 points and 13 rebounds, continuing his strong return from injury.

The win gives Dallas its first two-game winning streak of the season.

The Mavericks return home to face the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Center on Monday.