nico harris repeated his “defence wins championships” line during his closed media session this week. mavs missed the playoffs after reaching the finals with luka doncic last year.

 

In a closed media session held earlier this week, veteran guard Nico Harris once again leaned on a phrase that has become synonymous with his identity as a competitor: “Defense wins championships.” Though he’s echoed those words many times throughout his career, this time they struck a different chord — one rooted in reflection, disappointment, and perhaps, a sense of unfinished business.

r making an inspired run to the NBA Finals alongside superstar Luka Dončić. The dramatic contrast between the two seasons left fans and analysts alike searching for answers. And for Harris, the root cause was clear: a lack of defensive cohesion and effort down the stretch.

“We’ve got guys who can score. That’s never been the issue,” Harris said behind closed doors. “But when it comes to getting stops in the clutch, closing out possessions, and holding teams under 100 — we lost that edge this year. And that’s what cost us.”

The Mavericks’ inability to return to the postseason stunned many, especially given the momentum they had built the previous year. Led by Dončić’s brilliance and a supporting cast that had seemingly found its rhythm, Dallas appeared poised to establish itself as a perennial contender. But inconsistency, injuries, and a decline in defensive intensity led to a disappointing campaign and early offseason.

For Harris, who joined the Mavericks as a key veteran voice, the regression stung. Known for his commitment on the defensive end, he’s long preached that championships are built on stops, not just highlight plays. His “defense wins championships” mantra has echoed in huddles, practices, and film sessions all season — but this week, it felt more like a warning than a rallying cry.

“We can’t rely on Luka to save us every night,” Harris said, referring to the All-Star guard. “He’s incredible, but even he needs a team behind him that can dig in and get stops when it matters.”

Sources close to the team say Harris remains committed to returning next season and helping the Mavericks re-establish their identity. While questions linger about roster changes and off-season moves, one thing is clear: Harris believes that the path back to contention begins — and ends — with defense.

“It’s not the most glamorous part of the game,” he added. “But if we want to win at the highest level again, we’ve got to get back to what got us there in the first place.”