The Dallas Mavericks lost to the Milwaukee Bucks 132-117 Saturday in Dallas. The loss follows Thursday’s win against Charlotte, which was led by Kyrie Irving and Moses Brown. The Mavericks move to 32-29, 10th in the Western Conference.

PJ Washington returned to action tonight after missing Thursday night’s win against the Hornets. Dallas was again without the services of Daniel Gafford (knee sprain), Anthony Davis (adductor strain), Caleb Martin (hip strain), and Dereck Lively (ankle stress fracture). Pat Connaughton (calf strain) and Bobby Portis (suspension) were out for the Bucks.

Irving led Dallas with 31 points and five rebounds. Brown finished the final game of his 10-day contract with 18 points and nine rebounds. Giannis Antetokounmpo contributed 29 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists for the Bucks, and Damian Lillard added 28 points.

Tonight’s matchup got off to a slow start for both teams as neither team could buy a bucket for the first three minutes of the first quarter. The Mavericks finally began to see the ball go through the hoop, fueled by 10 points from Irving and six from Dinwiddie. Milwaukee took advantage of Dallas’ lack of size down low, beating the Mavericks on the offensive glass and drawing fouls in the paint. Irving’s quick start led the Mavericks to a 36-31 lead by the end of the first.

The Bucks continued to take advantage of the Mavericks’ size, shifting the momentum in Milwaukee’s favor. The Mavericks had no answer, as this will continue to be something they will struggle with until Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively return from injury. Antetokounmpo had his way in this quarter with eight points off shots in the paint and free throws. Brown helped the Mavericks not let the lead get too out of hand behind a few crafty shots in the paint. Dallas walked into the intermission down 71-63, the Bucks’ biggest lead at this point.

The floodgates flew open in the third quarter as the Mavericks found themselves down by as many as 23 points. Dallas couldn’t get a stop or answer for anything the Bucks did. Just when we think things can’t possibly get worse, it was announced midway through the third quarter that Washington would not return to the game with his ankle still bothering him. Dallas finished the third quarter down 101-79 with a deep hole to get themselves out of.

Dallas tried to stop the bleeding, cutting the deficit in the fourth quarter to 12 with two and a half minutes left, fueled by Irving and Brown, with a couple of three-pointers by Klay Thompson, who deserves props for his continued offensive performances in the last couple of weeks. Dallas’ juice came too late, and they eventually fell 132-117.

Here are a few quick takeaways from tonight’s loss.

PJ Washington struggled in his short-lived return

Washington struggled in his return, scoring four points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field in 15 minutes, similar to his game last Tuesday against the Lakers. Questions about whether he may still be feeling his ankle injury from Feb. 8 were confirmed when it was announced that he would not be returning to action in the third quarter.

Jason Kidd alluded to the fact that Washington’s injury was still a concern on Thursday, hence his absence from that game. Washington being ruled out tonight in the third quarter calls into question whether the right decision was made to let him play tonight. If he misses significant time with this injury, then things are about to get bleaker for the Mavericks, who have been hit with an “injury curse” this season. They simply cannot afford to miss him for too long.

Thank you, Moses Brown

Brown finished his final game with the Mavericks with 18 points and nine rebounds. While his time here was short-lived as he was signed to a 10-day contract, it was fun to see him contribute while the Mavericks were shorthanded, where he was key in the wins against the Pelicans and Hornets. He works hard, highlighted by Thursday’s 20-point and 11-rebound performance. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s quickly picked up by another team to round out their roster.

The Mavericks had no answer for the Bucks’ size and need good news on Thursday

It was clear walking into this one that the Mavericks would struggle with the Bucks’ size, a trend that has led to the Mavericks’ struggles post-Davis injury. The Mavericks’ center trio of Lively, Davis, and Gafford is set to be reevaluated on Thursday, according to the Mavericks. While it’s expected that Gafford is not close to a return, the Mavericks desperately need good news from Davis and Lively’s reevaluations. If help is not on the way soon, then Dallas will continue to struggle.

The Mavericks made the Anthony Davis-Luka Doncic trade to beat their opponents with size and defense. If his update is not good, then the Mavericks will look infinitely more foolish than they already have for putting themselves in this position.

The Mavericks continue their homestand Monday night as they take on the Sacramento Kings at 7:30 p.m. CT.