Mavs to Give Two-Way Guard Brandon Williams 'Opportunity' With Luka & Kyrie Injured

The Mavs signed Williams to add a needed point guard presence when players like Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are sidelined. Adding an initiator like Williams will enable the rest of the unit to remain in more fitting roles in the supporting cast.

"He has an opportunity to play tonight," Kidd said before Thursday's game. "Just looking at the balance of having a point guard, especially when we have Luka and Kai out, and trying to keep the other guys in their roles. That's a big reason we signed Brandon; he will have an opportunity to play tonight."

The Timberwolves remain an elite defensive team motivated to bounce back from recent slippage, finally having a day to practice to hone in on the details of their shell defense and general principles. Kidd stressed the importance of generating rim pressure instead of relying on perimeter shooting. 

"They play big for 48 minutes, and so we got to take care of the ball," Kidd said of the Timberwolves. "We got to make open shots, create open shots for one another — the ball has to touch the paint. That doesn't mean we just stay on a perimeter, but I think also taking advantage of when we do get open shots, we got to knock them down, and I think just playing with pace, we got to play faster tonight."

Led by Jaden Hardy, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Seth Curry, the Mavs recently played their first game of the season without Doncic or Irving in the lineup to be leaned on as creators. The result was a 122-96 road loss against the Houston Rockets, while shooting 35-101 (34.7 percent) from the floor and 7-40 (17.5 percent) from deep. The priority is to stay within roles and be cognizant of game situations. 

"You have to be careful because we've been in this situation before in Houston, so just looking at playing your role, staying in character," Kidd said. "If you try to do more, it could look like Houston, and so just being able to again, execute the game plan, take care of the ball, understanding who you're challenging at the rim, and then being able to make open shots here of late. 

"We're getting a lot of good looks," Kidd explained. "We haven't been shooting the ball straight. So, hopefully, that changes tonight."

Magic coach Jamahl Mosley viewed Williams signing his two-way contract with the Mavs as a "great opportunity" for him. With how Williams produced and conducted himself, he positioned himself to be viewed as a viable option for a team needing immediate backcourt help. 

"That's awesome for him," Mosley said. "I think that's a great opportunity for guys; that just shows how important it is for those guys in the G [League] to continue to work and play hard to continue to do the right thing."

The Mavs return to action after facing the Timberwolves on Saturday when they play the Golden State Warriors in continuation of a three-game Western Conference road trip. What Williams' role will be throughout the trip remains to be seen, but a solid first performance will be needed with both Doncic and Irving sidelined.