Is Kidd really the best head coach for this team?

[Smitty]

Kidd now 0-5 in game 1's

First round vs. Jazz (2021-22)

Kidd’s first playoff series as coach of the Mavericks occurred one year after Dallas lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of two consecutive playoff appearances. Dallas lost Game 1 at American Airlines Center before winning the next four of five games to defeat the Jazz in six games on the road. Doncic missed the first three games due to a calf injury suffered in the regular-season finale. Former Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson stepped up in his absence and led Dallas to two wins before Doncic totaled 33 points with 13 rebounds in Game 5. Dallas beat Utah by two points in Game 6 to advance to the next series.

Conference Semifinals vs. Suns (2021-22)

All hope appeared lost when Dallas fell behind 2-0 after losing both games on the road to the Phoenix Suns. Phoenix fans chanted “Sweep! Sweep” during Game 2 as the Suns blitzed the Mavericks by 20. Doncic and Brunson, along with the rest of the Mavericks, duplicated what they did in the first round and won four of the next five games to defeat the Suns in seven games. Dallas won three of the final four games of the series by at least 10 points, including massive blowouts in Games 6 and 7 to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Western Conference Finals vs. Warriors (2021-22)

This is the only loss on the Mavericks’ playoff record since Kidd took over in 2021 that didn’t result in a comeback to win the series. The Warriors, one year after being eliminated from the Play-In Tournament, reclaimed their status as the best team in the NBA. Dallas fell into a 3-0 deficit — which has yet to be conquered in NBA history. The Mavericks managed to win Game 4 of the series, but lost the series in five games after Klay Thompson had a vintage performance with eight 3-pointers.

First round vs. Clippers (2023-24)

Look no further than the Mavericks’ first-round series against the Clippers to see that it’s possible for the current iteration of the team to rebound from a Game 1 loss on the road. After getting punched in the mouth in Game 1, Dallas bounced back quickly to take advantage of a Clippers team that tried to reincorporate Kawhi Leonard back into the lineup. Dominant second-half performances from Irving proved to be the difference for Dallas as Doncic played through a right knee sprain and illness.

First round vs. Thunder (2023-24)

Dallas fell behind by 12 points early in Game 1 and came within one midway through the third quarter. After the ensuing timeout, Oklahoma City exploded with a 20-7 run over the final five minutes of the period. Oklahoma City exuded the energy and effort needed to come out on top, while taking advantage of a short-handed Mavericks team with a hobbled Doncic. Despite a significant size advantage, the Mavericks were outrebounded 52-39 and struggled with foul trouble from their starting frontcourt.