Mavs' Ryan Nembhard shatters record held by Hall of Famer

Nembhard's 23 assists in season finale surpassed Jason Kidd's previous Mavs rookie record.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 12:22pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game in motion, with players and the court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes, conveying the dynamic energy of the record-breaking performance.Nembhard's historic assist record highlights the young Mavericks' promising future.Chicago Today

In the final game of the season, Dallas Mavericks rookie point guard Ryan Nembhard set a new franchise record with 23 assists, surpassing the previous mark of 17 set by his head coach, Hall of Famer Jason Kidd, back in 1995.

Why it matters

Nembhard's historic performance showcases his impressive playmaking abilities and potential as a future star for the Mavericks. The team will likely look to build around Nembhard and fellow rookie Cooper Flagg as they plan for the offseason and beyond.

The details

Nembhard finished the game against the Chicago Bulls with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 23 assists, completely dominating the game and setting a new Mavericks rookie record for most assists in a single contest. His head coach, Jason Kidd, previously held the record with 17 assists in a game back in 1995.

  • The game took place on April 13, 2026, the final game of the Mavericks' regular season.
  • Kidd's previous record of 17 assists was set on March 13, 1995.

The players

Ryan Nembhard

A rookie point guard for the Dallas Mavericks who set a new franchise record with 23 assists in the final game of the season, surpassing a mark previously held by his head coach, Jason Kidd.

Jason Kidd

The head coach of the Dallas Mavericks and a Hall of Fame point guard, who previously held the Mavericks' rookie record for most assists in a game with 17, set in 1995.

Cooper Flagg

A fellow Mavericks rookie who left the final game early due to an ankle injury, but whose team still put on an impressive performance to close out the season.

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What they’re saying

“RYAN NEMBHARD DROPPED 23 ASSISTS 🤯”

— NBA

What’s next

The Mavericks will look to build around Nembhard and Flagg as they plan for the offseason and next season, hoping to capitalize on the young duo's potential.

The takeaway

Nembhard's record-breaking performance showcases his exceptional playmaking abilities and underscores the Mavericks' promising future, with the young point guard emerging as a potential star to lead the team alongside fellow rookie Cooper Flagg.