Brandon Williams moves into Mavericks’ starting five vs. Lakers
Brandon Williams is set to start for Dallas on Thursday night (ET) against the Lakers, stepping into the opening lineup as the team navigates a short-handed backcourt. It marks his first start since Jan. 17 and comes with Cooper Flag out due to a foot issue.
Why the switch now
Dallas turns to Williams to stabilize the guard rotation with depth thinned by injury. The coaching staff has leaned on his on-ball creation in recent spot minutes, and Thursday’s matchup offers a timely opportunity to scale that responsibility. With Flag unavailable, the Mavericks need an additional ballhandler who can organize the offense, pressure the rim, and keep the pace steady against a high-profile opponent.
What Dallas needs from Williams
Williams’ job description is straightforward: value possessions, defend the point of attack, and space the floor. He brings downhill burst and a willingness to attack gaps, which can open up kickouts for shooters and short-roll chances for bigs. Defensively, his activity at the top of the floor will be critical; disrupting initiators and staying attached to screens can help Dallas avoid scramble situations. If he keeps turnovers in check and hits open threes, he can tilt a few key possessions Dallas’ way.
A look back at his last start
In his most recent start on Jan. 17, Williams delivered 22 points, four rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 28 minutes. That performance underscored the two-way impact the Mavericks hope to tap into: opportunistic scoring, connective passing, and pressure defense. Replicating that efficiency against the Lakers would go a long way toward both stabilizing the first unit and giving the bench a steadier rotation pattern behind him.
Rotation ripple effects
Williams’ promotion reshapes the guard minutes distribution. Expect a tighter stagger among perimeter options, with his minutes bridging the gap between first- and second-unit groups. His ability to handle late-clock situations should ease the shot-creation burden on secondary playmakers, while his defensive energy can set the tone for early possessions in each half. If he sticks his spot-ups, it creates clearer driving lanes and limits opportunities for the defense to load up in the paint.
With Flag sidelined, the bench will likely lean on a committee to absorb ancillary duties — from point-of-attack assignments to initiating second-unit sets. Williams’ performance could determine how aggressively Dallas extends those bench stints, especially if he establishes rhythm early and keeps the offense organized. A steady opening shift would allow the Mavericks to preserve legs and maintain lineup flexibility for closing time.
Fantasy outlook and what to monitor
From a fantasy perspective, Williams’ pathway to value hinges on minutes and efficiency. The baseline he set in his last start — a balanced line with production across points, assists, and steals in under 30 minutes — offers a blueprint for streaming appeal. Keep an eye on his three-point volume and assist-to-turnover ratio; both indicators will signal how comfortably he’s operating within the starting group and how secure his role could be beyond Thursday.
On the floor, watch for two themes: pace control and point-of-attack resistance. If Williams limits early turnovers and forces tough first-side actions defensively, Dallas can wrestle the game into a favorable tempo. How he coordinates dribble-handoffs and pick-and-rolls — toggling between getting downhill and finding shooters — will reveal how well the starting unit calibrates around him.
It’s a timely chance for Brandon Williams to cement his case for elevated minutes. With Cooper Flag out and a marquee opponent on the other side, Thursday night (ET) presents both an audition and an opportunity — one that could shape Dallas’ guard rotation in the short term.
