After years excelling as one of the NBA’s top backup point guards, Tyus Jones appears poised to earn a starting role with the Dallas Mavericks this season. With Kyrie Irving sidelined by a torn ACL and the Mavericks trailing in the playoff race, Jones is likely to start for the remainder of the year.
Jones Poised for Extended Starting Role Amid Irving’s Injury
Tyus Jones, an 11-year NBA veteran, has frequently filled a backup role but now faces the prospect of starting regularly for Dallas. Despite starting on occasion earlier in his career, Jones has predominantly come off the bench—appearing in 504 of his 730 regular-season games as a reserve and starting only 23 of his 27 playoff outings.
His time as a starter has been limited, including just eight starts in 48 games with the Orlando Magic and sporadic appearances in 2024-25, mostly coming off the bench except for the regular season finale when starters rested. However, this season with Dallas marks a significant opportunity for Jones to become a full-time starter for only the second time in his career.
The Mavericks are in a position to give Jones the responsibility of leading their offense, utilizing his skills as a playmaker and floor-spacer, which should also help ease the transition for rising star Cooper Flagg.
Jones’ Skills Align Well with Mavericks’ Needs
While Jones may return to the second unit when Kyrie Irving eventually recovers, Irving’s timetable remains uncertain. If Irving’s return is delayed into the 2025-26 season, Jones could hold down the starting point guard spot through the end of this campaign. This would provide the Mavericks with a veteran floor general who can orchestrate the offense effectively and stretch defenses with his shooting.
Jones’ reputation rests heavily on his exceptional assist-to-turnover ratio—the best in NBA history. His 2023-24 season reflected this quality strongly, as he averaged 7.3 assists with just one turnover per game. His career per-36-minute statistics are consistent with this efficiency, boasting 7.4 assists against 1.4 turnovers, indicating his steady ball-handling and decision-making.
This proficiency suits Dallas, a team ranking in the lower half of the league in assists and ball security. Additionally, Jones’ shooting from deep is a valuable asset, having connected on 41.4% of his three-point attempts in both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. This complements the Mavericks’ need for improved three-point accuracy, as their current team percentage stands near the bottom of the league.
A Meaningful Opportunity for Jones and the Mavericks
Although the starting role is not officially guaranteed, the Mavericks have demonstrated clear interest in acquiring Jones since the offseason, indicating their belief in his ability to contribute as a key starter. His presence offers both immediate stability and veteran leadership to a team striving to remain competitive despite setbacks.
As Jones steps into this larger role, his performance will be crucial for Dallas’ efforts to close the gap in the tightly contested playoff race and develop younger talents like Flagg. His combination of sharp passing, careful ball control, and reliable perimeter shooting could prove instrumental in shaping the Mavericks’ trajectory this season and beyond.
Tyus Jones, sources say, was who Dallas actually targeted above D'Angelo Russell this summer, before Jones found a richer deal with Orlando than the Mavericks could afford.
— Jake Fischer (@JakeLFischer) February 5, 2026
