Five thoughts from the Dallas Mavericks’ 116-111 loss in Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers:
Bottom line
With a victory at home in Game 4, the Mavericks had an opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 lead in this best-of-7 first-round series. How commanding? Entering this season’s playoffs, teams that have taken a 3-1 series lead have gone on to win 95.4% of the time: 268-13.
By losing Sunday afternoon, Dallas lost homecourt advantage and the series is tied 2-2. That sets up a pivotal Game 5 on Wednesday in Los Angeles. In NBA history, when series are tied at 2-2, the Game 5 winner goes on to win the series 81.7% of the time: 188-42.
The Rally
The Clippers took a 55-24 lead after James Harden’s 3-pointer with 5:43 left in the second quarter. Dallas stormed back by scoring 52 of the next 73 points to pull within 78-76 on a Kyrie Irving 3-pointer with 1:36 left in the third quarter.
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The Clippers pushed the advantage back up to 92-81, but a Derrick Jones Jr. 3-pointer with 8:31 left in the game started another rally. When Luka Doncic’s 3-pointer with 5:03 left tied the score at 98, it marked the game’s first tie since it was 0-0.
Kyrie Irving’s layup with 2:14 left gave Dallas its first lead, 105-104, since it was 8-7 in the game’s opening minutes.
Paul George erupts
The self-anointed Paul “Playoff P” George entered Game 4 averaging 40% shooting while scoring only 51 points for the series, including just 9 points in Game 3. In Games 2 and 3 he totaled the same number of fouls as field goals: 10.
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But in Game 4, George scored 16 points in the first quarter alone and had 26 by halftime to finish with 33. He was especially deadly from 3-point range, making 7-of-10 attempts.
No Kawhi, no problem
Clippers president Lawrence Frank announced before the game that there had been an “organizational decision” to sit six-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, due to a return of soreness and inflammation in his right knee.
Frank said it was clear to everyone in the organization, including Leonard, that he wasn’t himself in Game 3, when he scored 9 points and pulled down 9 rebounds while being limited to 25 minutes of court time.
“The obvious question I know is coming: ‘When’s he coming back?’ I can’t tell you a timeline,” Frank said. “I wish I had a crystal ball. It will just basically be until he can show that he can make all the movements that he needs to make. That’s when he’ll come back. That will be the timeframe.”
Much like when they played without Leonard in Game 1, the Clippers jumped out to a big early lead. In Game 1 they led 34-22 after one quarter. In Game 4 they 39-16 after one quarter.
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Dallas defense falters
The Clippers scored 93 points in Game 2 and 90 in Game 3, marking the lowest back-to-back outputs by Mavericks opponents this season. On Sunday afternoon, though, the Clippers shot 61% in the first quarter and 54% for the game to finish at 116 points.
DALLAS – After briefly ending the subfreezing streak, it remains bitterly cold this morning. Any lingering moisture has iced over, resulting in patches of black ice on exposed surfaces. Residents should exercise extra caution.
Roads remain slick in many areas. The safest option is to stay off the roads until more significant melting occurs this afternoon.
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With melting adding moisture to the air and light winds on Tuesday night, there is a risk of fog as temperatures drop back below freezing. The risk is highest north and west of the Metroplex. Freezing fog is particularly dangerous, as it can create a thin layer of ice on any surface it touches. This may spread across North Texas after 2 a.m. Wednesday.
Live Traffic Map
Road Conditions – Tuesday, Jan. 25
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10:30 a.m.: DFW road conditions
The roads are still a little rough. According to FOX 4 traffic reporter Chip Waggoner, transition areas are the worst in this period of flux.
You have the highways and the toll roads that have been sanded and graded, but you also have on and off ramps and the secondary streets that remain untouched.
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“It’s pretty dangerous and treacherous there. That’s why I think one more day of staying home is going to be worth your while,” he said.
As temperatures get above freezing on Tuesday afternoon, some of the ice should begin to melt.
8:50 a.m.: Road conditions around Fort Worth
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8:40 a.m.: Trouble on I-30 continues
8:20 a.m.: Road conditions in Collin County
8 a.m.: Trouble on I-30
6:40 a.m.: Icy conditions
5:30 a.m.: I-35E at Hwy. 66
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5:15 a.m.: Stay home if you can
Track Icy Road Conditions
If the roads are icy, the best thing you can do is stay home. If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.
If you must drive in inclement weather, allow additional time to reach your destination and share your travel plans with a friend or family member, so someone knows the route you’re taking.
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When driving on icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others when stopping. Do not use cruise control during poor driving conditions and ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gas before you head out.
Safety officials tell Texans to be aware and approach bridges and overpasses slowly as ice can accumulate before drivers are able to see it on the roads. Drivers should also watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stoplight is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.
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Safe driving protocols
What you can do:
Safety officials ask Texans to keep a well-stocked emergency kit with warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.
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Here are some other tips to help you stay ahead of winter weather:
Use an all-hazards weather radio for up-to-date warnings, watches, forecasts and other hazard information.
Sign up for calls or texts from your local emergency notification system.
Insulate outside faucets and pipes near outer walls.
Make sure furnaces, heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves are clean, well-ventilated and in good working condition.
Keep space heaters at least three feet away from walls and combustible materials and make sure to turn them off when you’re away or sleeping. (Also ensure that space heaters cannot tip over and that the cord is not damaged)
Check on friends and family members whose health or age may put them at greater risk.
Stock up on firewood and supplies, including canned goods, bottled water and medication.
Ensure your vehicle’s safety by making sure doors and trunk locks are properly lubricated to prevent them from freezing. Also, check your vehicle’s battery, windshield wipers, tire pressure and tire tread.
Texas DPS also recommends individuals to check their vehicle’s fluid levels and have a well-stocked emergency kit that includes warm clothes, food, water, cell phone battery/charger and first aid items.
Have a way to get updates
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Watch live coverage on your phone
With severe winter weather on the way this weekend, you should have a way to get important updates if the power goes out.
The FOX LOCAL app will allow you to stay up to date with livestreams, the latest forecasts, news stories and weather alerts in real time, all from your mobile phone or tablet.
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Stay connected with FOX 4 News. For winter storm coverage — Download Now.
Get county emergency alerts
You can also sign up to get alerts sent to your phone from your county’s emergency office.
The Source: Information in this article comes from TxDOT, Traffic reporter Chip Waggoner, and previous FOX 4 coverage.
As part of the coaching staff changes under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker, the Cowboys on Monday let three assistants go, two people with knowledge of the decision told The Dallas Morning News on Monday.
Defensive passing game coordinator/safeties coach Andre Curtis, secondary/cornerbacks coach David Overstreet II and linebackers coach Dave Borgonzi were let go by the organization.
On Monday night, Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton left the organization to become the Tennessee Titans’ defensive run game coordinator/defensive line coach.
Whitecotton is the defensive coordinator for the East team in the East-West Shrine Bowl game, which will take place Tuesday at The Star in Frisco.
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Curtis and Overstreet led a defensive back group that gave up the second-most touchdowns (35) in the NFL in 2025. The secondary was hampered by injuries to both projected starting corners, Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, along with safeties Donovan Wilson and Malik Hooker.
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The Cowboys’ 2025 third-round pick, cornerback Shavon Revel, missed the start of the season recovering from ACL surgery.
The linebackers also had health issues, as middle linebacker Jack Sanborn — who signed in free agency — suffered a groin injury in October and was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 3.
Kenneth Murray, a weakside linebacker, moved to middle linebacker and, while leading the team in tackles, struggled during the season.
The defensive line group lost star pass rusher Micah Parsons a week before the start of the 2025 season, as he was traded to the Green Bay Packers. However, the Cowboys acquired two talented interior linemen in Kenny Clark (in Parsons trade) and Quinnen Williams, obtained in a trade deadline deal.
Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
The Dallas Cowboys are going through an offseason shakeup after hiring Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator & defensive backs coach Christian Parker as their next defensive coordinator.
Moving forward, the Cowboys will have to fill out the rest of the staff around Parker. Dallas is allowing its assistant coaches to go through an interview with Parker or search for new jobs, per the Dallas Morning News’ Calvin Watkins.
MORE: Dallas Cowboys Block Division Rival from Poaching Offensive Coordinator
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Prior to bringing in Parker, the franchise also explored the possibility of elevating defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton to the defensive coordinator position. Whitecotton is getting an opportunity to guide the defense for the East team at the East-West Shrine Bowl
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It’s possible an old friend could come calling to try and pluck Whitecotton from Dallas. He’s just staying focused on the job at hand for the time being.
Cowboys Assistant Not Thinking About Potential Interest From Titans
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Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Tennessee Titans zeroed in on San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next head coach last week. Saleh is leading a franchise once again after being fired by the New York Jets early in the 2024 season.
Whitecotton has a connection to Saleh. The two worked together for one season in San Francisco, and Whitecotton followed Saleh to New York. He served as defensive line coach for all four of Saleh’s years with the Jets.
The Titans have already requested to interview Whitecotton for their open defensive coordinator position. Unlike the situation with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams, Dallas would be unable to deny Tennessee’s request since Whitecotton would be receiving a promotion.
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The possibility of change is something Whitecotton is keeping at the back of his mind.
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MORE: Cowboys Request Interview With Super Bowl Winning Assistant Coach
“I’m just trying to live in the present. I’m so busy with this East-West game and what we’ve got going here in Dallas,” Whitecotton said, per DallasCowboys.com. “I haven’t [interviewed with the Titans yet], so I haven’t really had a chance to go through that in my mind.”
“The game has been an incredibly good distraction. I don’t have to sit there and think about this or think about this, I’m working my butt off trying to get these boys ready to play,” Whitecotton added. “I think that’s kind of where my mind’s at right now.”
Whitecotton has been working at the NFL level since 2013. He spent four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, operating as a defensive assistant and assistant defensive line coach. Whitecotton went on to assist the Buffalo Bills from 2017-19. He was the assistant defensive line coach for the Bills in his final two seasons with the franchise.
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San Francisco brought in Whitecotton ahead of the 2020 season, leading to his bond with Saleh.
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The Cowboys’ defensive line was up-and-down throughout 2025-26. It didn’t help that Dallas moved on from Micah Parsons shortly before the season began and was unable to acquire Quinnen Williams until the NFL trade deadline.
Obviously, Williams and Whitecotton are familiar with one another after their time with the Jets. That would be a plus of keeping the veteran assistant around.
Dallas is making sure to watch its back just in case Whitecotton departs for Tennessee. The team previously requested an interview with Minnesota Vikings defensive line coach Marcus Dixon.
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