Ryan Nembhard
The Dallas Mavericks currently sit at 7-15, and while it’s not pretty, things are improving. One game after Cooper Flagg became the youngest player to ever score 35, a little more history was made.
Undrafted guard Ryan Nembhard posted a stat-line never before seen by a rookie. He finished with 28 points and 10 assists with zero turnovers, on 12-14 shooting, including a 100% TS.
Nembhard is actually the first in NBA history with all of the above.
After playing sparingly for the first chunk of games this season, Andrew Nembhard’s brother is starting to come into his own. This makes him the first rookie since Stephon Marbury to have 25+ points, and 10+ assists without a turnover in a game… 29 years ago.
The icing on the cake, was that Dallas was able to defeat the Denver Nuggets 131-121, while getting great nights from Flagg and Anthony Davis, too.
Let’s dive a bit deeper into Nembhard’s night.
Ryan Nembhard Goes Off
Nearly 30 years ago, the Minnesota Timberwolves had a rookie point guard named Stephon Marbury. He was one of the game’s most promising young talents, and a must-see player. He put up a 30-point, 11-assist night on November 29, 1996. He did not turn the ball over.
Until last night, December 1, 2025, a rookie PG had not posted 25+ points, 10+ assists, and zero turnovers in a game. Ryan Nembhard has taken the starting point guard role, and absolutely run with it.
Hitting 12 of 14 shots in an NBA game is not an easy thing to do. Doing so while being just 5’11 is even more impressive. One thing is absolutely clear after this performance. The Nembhard brothers play as hard as anybody in the league.
There is another historic layer to this one. Nembhard, as mentioned above, was undrafted. He is the first rookie to be not be selected and put up this type of stat-line.
Looking back, it’s pretty shocking that neither of Andrew or Ryan Nembhard were selected in the draft. Two undersized guards that have proven everybody wrong on the biggest stage after playing well collegiately.
Is Ryan Nembhard’s Play Sustainable?
For a 7-15 Mavs team, any PR is good PR. Trading Luka Doncic last year certainly brought this team into the headlines for very different reasons than the 2024 Finals year.
Cooper Flagg has finally been coming into his own over the last few games. Anthony Davis is fully healthy for the first time all season. Klay Thompson, off to a slow start and out of the starting lineup, has started knocking down his threes.
Prior to his big night on Monday, Ryan Nembhard had been a bit quiet. Out of 22 games, this was his ninth. The point guard position with Kyrie Irving out has remained open, but might be getting filled sooner than later.
A performance like this from an undrafted rookie is just what the team needed. As injuries have impacted things in Dallas, players have had to step up. The situation called for a little Nembhard, and that is exactly what they got.
A historic performance from the most unlikeliest of sources helped spark a 17-point comeback against one of the best teams in the league.
Anytime a player puts up numbers not seen in 29 years, it immediately becomes a big deal.
Keep your eyes on Ryan Nembhard, folks. He’s here. And he can absolutely keep this up.