Mavericks forward Grant Williams to take on new role

Last night, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Phoenix Suns on the road to improve to 18-12 on the season.

This game was filled with storylines, as it was the first time that the Mavs and Suns have met this season, and the last time they played ended with Luka Doncic and Devin Booker having to be separated.

Doncic dominated Phoenix last night, as he finished with 50 points and 15 assists. He couldn’t be stopped for the entire game and even scored his 10,000th point.

Mavericks forward Grant Williams to take on new role that could shock fans

Although this night will be remembered for Doncic’s dominance, this was also the first game that fans got to see forward Grant Williams in his new role.

Before last night, Williams had started every game he played in this season.

Last night was the first time that he came off the bench, and it seems that this could be his new role moving forward. Mavs head coach Jason Kidd says he intends to start Dante Exum alongside Luka Doncic, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dereck Lively II once Irving returns from injury.

This means that Williams will move to the bench and Jones Jr. will become the new starting power forward. This new starting lineup could work wonders for Dallas and how they start the game, but it can also help Williams’ production flourish.

Williams has struggled as of late, but him moving to the bench will give Dallas some much-needed defense and physicality that they didn’t have before coming off the bench. He only finished with three points last night, but his three blocks were massive for Dallas. Williams also got into a small altercation with Devin Booker that set the tone for the rest of the game.

Following the altercation, Dallas outscored Phoenix 43-25. The Mavs have needed a player who isn’t afraid to mix it up badly.

Another benefit of him coming off the bench is that it could allow him to get to see the flow of the game before checking in and provide Dallas with a spark alongside Tim Hardaway Jr.

Coming off the bench is nothing new for Williams, as he did this for the majority of his time playing for the Boston Celtics, so it shouldn’t be a massive change for the young power forward.

For all the latest on Grant Williams and the Dallas Mavericks this season, stay tuned.