On Sunday, Quentin Grimes delivered a performance that was as personal as it was dominant, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 130-125 victory over the Dallas Mavericks. Grimes made it clear that he hasn’t forgotten how the Mavericks treated and traded him just over a month ago.
The highlight of the game came when Grimes scored on two Mavericks defenders, turned to stare down the Dallas coaching staff, and then, moments later, stole the ball from Max Christie before glaring at the bench again. It was a sequence that encapsulated the frustration of a player who has thrived since being traded and the disarray of a Mavericks franchise that has struggled to find its footing.
Quentin Grimes scored on two Mavericks defenders, turned to stare down the Dallas coaching staff, and then, moments later, stole the ball from Max Christie before glaring at the bench again. 🥶💀 pic.twitter.com/hqsAGRmvpf
— OpenCourt-Basketball (@OpenCourtFB) March 17, 2025
Grimes, who was traded to the 76ers in February as part of a deal that sent Caleb Martin to Dallas, has been on a tear since joining Philadelphia. Averaging 19.9 points per game since the trade, Grimes has emerged as a key contributor for the Sixers. On Sunday, he scored a team-high 28 points, adding another chapter to what has become a breakout season for the 24-year-old guard.
For the Mavericks, the loss was yet another low point in a season that has gone from bad to worse. Once considered a contender in the Western Conference, Dallas now finds itself clinging to the 10th and final play-in spot. Injuries to key players like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis have decimated the roster, leaving the team with just eight active players for Sunday’s game. The Mavericks have lost 10 of their last 12 games, and their record has fallen to a season-worst three games under .500.
The trade of Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers in February has only added to the turmoil. The deal, which brought Anthony Davis to Dallas, was met with widespread criticism. Davis has been sidelined with a groin injury for most of his time in Dallas, while Dončić has flourished in Los Angeles, leading the Lakers to a surge in the standings.
The Mavericks’ struggles have been compounded by questionable roster moves and a lack of cohesion on the court. Caleb Martin, acquired in the Grimes trade, has played in just five games for Dallas due to a lingering hip injury, scoring a total of 23 points. Meanwhile, Grimes has thrived in Philadelphia, making the trade look increasingly lopsided.
As the Mavericks’ season continues to unravel, Sunday’s game served as a stark reminder of what could have been. For Quentin Grimes, it was a chance to prove his worth and exact a measure of revenge against the team that let him go. For the Mavericks, it was another chapter in a season defined by missed opportunities and mounting frustration.
