5 Key Games Every Mavericks Fan Should Care About On The Schedule

The game also offers a rare rookie spectacle. Dallas’ No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg will meet the Spurs’ No. 2 pick Dylan Harper. Both enter with massive hype, and their first meeting could be the spark for a rivalry that runs for years.

Luka Dončić’s Return — Home vs. Los Angeles Lakers

Some Mavericks fans still haven’t forgiven the trade that sent Luka Dončić to Los Angeles. The deal brought Anthony Davis and Max Christie to Dallas and set up the tank that landed Flagg, but the emotions remain raw.

Dallas traded Luka over conditioning concerns. He responded this offseason with a leaner, faster “Luka 2.0,” transforming his game and body. This will be his second game back in Dallas since the trade — and his first chance to match or surpass the 45 points he scored on his initial return.

Christmas Day Clash at Golden State Warriors

Another key game on the Mavericks schedule is a holiday headliner. On December 25, Dallas visits Golden State for a nationally televised matchup with extra bite.

Klay Thompson returns to Chase Center in Mavericks colors, facing his old team on the biggest stage of the regular season. The emotions, history, and stakes ensure this will be one of the most-watched games of the year.

MLK Day at New York Knicks

January 19, 2026, could mark Kyrie Irving’s comeback from his ACL injury. The stage? Madison Square Garden on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

The day already carries weight in the NBA calendar. If Irving steps onto the Garden floor healthy, it adds another layer to an already meaningful game.

Final Regular Season Test vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

The last reg. season meeting between both teams could feel like the first round of the playoffs. The defending champions come to Dallas in what could be a battle for seeding.

By then, Irving will have been back for months, and the Mavericks will know if their roster can hang with the West’s elite. This game could set the tone for their postseason fate.

Notable Mention — The NBA Cup Games

The Mavericks’ NBA Cup group stage pits them against Memphis, New Orleans, the Clippers, and the Lakers. Four straight Friday nights in November will determine if Dallas can make the knockout stage.

Every win matters this season. The in-season tournament gives Dallas an early chance to sharpen its edge and prove the Mavericks’ key games matter beyond the regular season.