Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has repeatedly shown the ability to bring out the best in players, especially unheralded role players.

Brady, for the record, sat courtside and was in town to call Thursday’s Cowboys vs. New York Giants game for Fox Sports. He attended Junipero Serra High in San Mateo, Calif., which was just across the San Francisco Bay from Kidd’s alma mater, St. Joseph Notre Dame in Alameda.

With Luka Doncic, Klay Thompson, and Daniel Gafford out, Dallas started Kyrie Irving, Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, PJ Washington, and Dereck Lively II, while the Knicks rolled out former Maverick Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, OG Anunoby, and Karl-Anthony Towns.