Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams has issued a public apology after being arrested for marijuana possession at Dallas Fort Worth Airport over the weekend. The 25-year-old guard acknowledged his mistake, saying he takes “full accountability” and regrets being “a distraction” to his team.
Arrest and Apology
Williams was detained on Saturday after authorities discovered less than two ounces of marijuana in his luggage — an amount that remains illegal for recreational use in Texas, despite relaxed cannabis policies elsewhere in the United States.
The guard missed two Mavericks games before returning to action in Dallas’ 107–105 win over the Indiana Pacers, where he scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench.
“I can’t really go into further detail,” Williams said following his return. “I just want to apologise for being a distraction. I take full accountability.”
The NBA removed marijuana from its list of banned substances in 2023, ending routine testing for the drug, but players must still adhere to local and state laws.
Team Context: Mavericks Struggling Early
The Mavericks currently sit 12th in the Western Conference, with a 2–3 record to start the 2025–26 season. The team has faced mounting challenges amid roster adjustments and injuries, putting additional pressure on head coach Jason Kidd to stabilize performance.
Williams, who averaged 8.3 points and 2.3 rebounds across 33 games last season, has been seen as a promising role player. However, his off-court issue comes at a sensitive time for a franchise striving to rebuild momentum and consistency.
NBA Roundup: Key Results and Performances
- Chicago Bulls 126–113 Sacramento Kings: Matas Buzelis led with 27 points, while Josh Giddey and Nikola Vučević recorded double-doubles to keep Chicago unbeaten at 4–0, sitting atop the Eastern Conference.
- Los Angeles Lakers 116–115 Minnesota Timberwolves: Austin Reaves sank a buzzer-beater, scoring 28 points and 16 assists to secure victory in the absence of LeBron James and Luka Dončić.
- Memphis Grizzlies 118–110 Phoenix Suns: Ja Morant dropped 28 points, handing the Suns their fourth straight loss.
- Portland Trail Blazers 136–134 Utah Jazz: Jrue Holiday hit four crucial free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.
- Denver Nuggets 122–88 New Orleans Pelicans: Nikola Jokić dominated as New Orleans remains winless in the Western Conference.
- Houston Rockets 139–121 Toronto Raptors: Kevin Durant scored 31 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, to lead Houston past Toronto.
- Detroit Pistons 135–116 Orlando Magic: Cade Cunningham posted 30 points and 10 assists, handing Orlando its fourth consecutive loss.
- Atlanta Hawks 117–112 Brooklyn Nets: The Hawks rallied from an early 12-0 deficit to defeat winless Brooklyn.
- Boston Celtics 125–105 Cleveland Cavaliers: Jaylen Brown scored 30 points, keeping the Celtics perfect at home.
Looking Ahead: Williams Seeks Redemption
Williams’ swift apology and strong on-court performance upon return suggest a commitment to moving forward. Both he and the Mavericks will hope to put the incident behind them as they prepare for a crucial stretch of games that could define their early season trajectory.
“I’m learning from it,” Williams said. “Now it’s about focusing on basketball and helping my team win.”
With the NBA season still young, Williams’ redemption arc could quickly turn into one of resilience and recovery, provided he maintains focus and consistency.
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