The Mavericks upgrade Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg to probable for Monday’s game against the Heat after a mild left‑shoulder sprain forced him out of the Spurs opener, though Dallas still battles injuries to Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin and others. Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings exercised a $3.42 million third‑year option on former No. 24 pick Nique Clifford, guaranteeing him a 2027‑28 salary despite his reduced minutes as the team sits 0‑3 after a 22‑60 season. In Philadelphia, LeBron James praises center‑in‑training Adem Bona, who delivered six points and 13 rebounds against Detroit, saying his energy could bolster the Sixers' rebounding while he backs up Joel Embiid.
The Spurs clinch their first win of the 2026‑27 season in Dallas, but Coach Mitch Johnson remains uneasy. San Antonio beat a shorthanded Mavericks 30‑17 in the final quarter after surrendering 31 opening points and a franchise‑record 46 paint points in the first half. Victor Wembanyama called the performance “in between” playoff form and a sluggish start, while Devin Vassell urges the team to “become the hunters again.” Rookie Tarris Reed Jr. sparked the decisive run with key rebounds and hustle, and Johnson hints that injured veteran Tobias Harris could return soon.
The Texas Legends drafted Jeremy Sochan with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, bringing a defensive-minded wing with potential into the Dallas Mavericks' organization.
Walter Clayton Jr. signs a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks on Oct. 21 and quickly gets court time, posting 3 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists in 14 minutes off the bench against the San Antonio Spurs. He describes the transition as "seamless" thanks to support from teammates and coaches, and notes the Mavericks' emphasis on hustle and physical play ahead of their Monday night visit to the Miami Heat. Clayton reflects on his "learning year" spent with the Jazz and Grizzlies, where he averaged 7.8 points and 4.0 assists as a rookie before being waived by Memphis. Dallas, now 1‑2, also highlights rookie Sergio de Larrea's 21‑point performance and the team’s new front office under Masai Ujiri.
While he was only the 25th pick in the NBA Draft, Dallas Mavericks rookie Sergio De Larrea has a level of confidence that is taking him to another level.
The Mavericks update Friday’s game injuries: Cooper Flagg, the Rookie of the Year, suffers a mild left shoulder sprain but is upgraded to probable after a shootaround, aiming to return tonight. Naji Marshall misses the game with illness, Caleb Martin remains out with a thumb sprain, and Santi Aldama, Dereck Lively II and Tarik Biberovic stay sidelined after surgeries and heel bursitis. With Flagg and Kyrie Irving (ACL) unavailable, Dallas lost to the Spurs, but rookie Sergio de Larrea shines, posting 21 points, five rebounds and four assists in 33 minutes, earning praise from coach Dusty May and likely more minutes moving forward.
Luka Doncic lights up the court whenever Brazil’s Lula wins a runoff election. On Oct. 30, 2022, the then‑Maverick poured 44 points (5 assists) against Orlando after Lula’s victory. Four years later, on Oct. 25, 2026, the newly minted Lakers star exploded for 52 points and eight assists in a win over Utah, coinciding with Lula’s second runoff win. Doncic now leads a 3‑0 Lakers start, averaging 34.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and eight assists per game – the second‑highest scoring pace in the NBA. The pattern fuels the hype surrounding his early‑season fire‑power.
In a tongue‑in‑cheek roundtable, Mavs analysts wildly overreact to Dallas' first three games of the 2026‑27 season. Voices predict rookie Cooper Flagg could land All‑NBA Third Team, MVP chatter, and an All‑Rookie spot for Sergio de Larrea, who posted 21 points, five rebounds and four assists against San Antonio. Others praise PJ Washington’s 14‑point, 40% three‑point stretch and argue the veteran combo of Marshall and Christie is hurting the team, while highlighting strong front‑office work by Masai Ujiri and Mike Schmitz. The panel’s hyper‑optimistic takes fuel a debate over the Mavericks’ youth‑first direction.
Zaccharie Risacher's defense for the Dallas Mavericks has been far better than expected, and he is making a massive impact on that end due to his hustle, energy, and help-side shot blocking.
Dallas Mavericks retain the rights to No. 56 pick Vsevolod “Seva” Ishchenko, who will stay with Russia’s Lokomotiv Kuban for the 2026/27 season. Ishchenko’s agent confirms the club’s strong partnership with Dallas and says the move offers him meaningful minutes and a key development role. The 6‑foot‑8 wing posted 8.7 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.0 APG and 1.3 SPG on .506/.451/.781 shooting in 48 games last season, and averaged 9.6 PPG in five Summer League games. The decision aligns with the Mavericks’ draft‑and‑stash strategy, leaving all 2026 picks accounted for.
The San Antonio Spurs stumble out of the gate, dropping their first two games (104-116 to OKC, 110-114 to Houston) before snapping a win 106-122 at Dallas against a depleted Mavericks squad. Victor Wembanyama struggles with his shot (2‑for‑13 vs. Thunder, 5‑for‑28 overall) and rookie Jaylen Williams suffers a likely season‑ending leg injury. Coach Mitch Johnson’s new three‑guard lineup (De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Dylan Harper) shows mixed results, posting a modest +1.4 net rating but the team shoots only 41.5% overall and 28.1% from three. The Spurs sit 1‑2, ninth in the West, with a softer 12‑game stretch ahead that could lift them toward the top of the conference.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg is now probable for Monday night's game against the Miami Heat after he suffered a left shoulder injury on Friday night.
Cooper Flagg is upgraded to probable for the Mavericks' Monday game against the Miami Heat after completing a shootaround, despite a mild left shoulder sprain that sidelined him on Friday. The 19‑year‑old, 2025 No. 1 pick, left the Indiana Pacers game with 14 points and missed the Spurs loss before an MRI confirmed the sprain. He scored 32 points in the season opener versus Houston. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving returns after a knee issue, while Naji Marshall (illness) and Caleb Martin (thumb sprain) remain out, and several players continue to sit with injuries. Tip‑off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT at Kaseya Center.
Cooper Flagg joins the Dallas Mavericks’ shootaround at Miami’s Kaseya Center despite being listed as questionable with a mild left shoulder sprain. The 19‑year‑old, 2025 No. 1 draft pick exited the Mavericks’ 121‑105 win over Indiana after a flagrant foul and missed the 122‑106 loss to San Antonio while an MRI confirmed the sprain. Coach Dusty May leaves his return timeline open. Flagg, who tallied 32 points in the season opener, was replaced by Zachary Risacher (11 points) on Saturday. Kyrie Irving returns, while Naji Marshall and several others remain sidelined. Tip‑off is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
The Miami Heat enter week two of the 2026-27 season still winless, joining three other Eastern Conference teams at 0-3. Hosting the Dallas Mavericks, the Heat look to snap the slump after a standout showing from Davion Mitchell against the Charlotte Hornets. The preview examines how the Giannis Antetokounmpo‑led Mavericks will challenge a struggling Heat roster and highlights key matchups and what Miami must improve to secure its first victory.
The Dallas Mavericks have upgraded forward Cooper Flagg to probable for Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat after he participated in the morning shootaround. Flagg suffered a mild left‑shoulder sprain in a fall during a breakaway layup against the Indiana Pacers, where he left after 14 points, five rebounds and six assists. The 19‑year‑old missed the loss to the San Antonio Spurs, but the team expects him back as Kyrie Irving returns and Zaccharie Risacher may start. The Mavericks also list Santi Aldama, Tarik Beberovic, Dereck Lively II, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin as out.
The Big Lead flags three NBA clubs that should already be on edge after a 0‑3 start to the 2026‑27 season. The defending champion New York Knicks, who lost to an undermanned Orlando Magic, are the first title‑holders to stumble 0‑3 since the 2011‑12 Mavericks, with key players Karl‑Anthony Towns, Josh Hart and Miles McBride still awaiting contract extensions. The Golden State Warriors sit winless amid an aging roster, a blown 12‑point lead to Memphis and Kristaps Porziņģis sidelined by POTS, though Stephen Curry secured a two‑year extension. Finally, the Miami Heat, despite landing Giannis Antetokounmpo, have yet to notch a win, conceding 115+ points in each loss while trying to mesh Giannis with Bam Adebayo under Erik Spoelstra. These early struggles suggest a potentially rough campaign for all three teams.
The Monday, Oct. 26 NBA injury report lists several key absences ahead of upcoming games. Moses Moody, Mark Williams and Steven Adams are confirmed out, while Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable for the Dallas Mavericks’ matchup against the Miami Heat. Marcus Smart is ruled out for the Houston Rockets, and some teams have yet to submit their updates. The report highlights roster concerns that could impact early‑season matchups.
James Worthy reveals that, just a year after the Lakers' 1985 championship, the franchise almost dealt him to the Dallas Mavericks. Speaking on Byron Scott’s Fast Break, Worthy says he learned of the rumored trade while watching the 1986 NBA Draft at home. The revelation highlights a near‑miss in Lakers history that could have reshaped both teams.
The Mavericks open the 2026‑27 season 1‑2, dropping to Houston (128‑110) and San Antonio (122‑106) but beating Indiana (121‑105). Rookie Cooper Flagg shines with 23 points per game before a shoulder injury sidelines him for the Spurs game. Despite ‘quarter‑by‑quarter’ inconsistencies, Dallas ranks in the league’s top half for offensive rating (112.0) and shows flashes of strong defense. Coach Dusty May’s rotations are still settling, while bench contributors like Marcus Sasser and Sergio de Larrea impress. With upcoming games against Miami, OKC and a rematch with Houston, the Mavs have playoff potential if they find consistency.
Max Christie's slow start has reopened the Dallas Mavericks' shooting guard debate, giving Zaccharie Risacher a chance to prove his long-term potential.
The Dallas Mavericks (1-2) travel to Miami to face a 0-3 Heat team fresh off high‑profile offseason moves, including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Klay Thompson and former Mavs sharpshooters. The preview highlights Kyrie Irving’s return from injury management and Cooper Flg’s questionable status after a shoulder scare, while noting the Heat’s reliance on Antetokounmpo and Bam Adebayo for scoring. Dallas boasts one of only four teams shooting above 50% early this season, contrasted with Miami’s sub‑42% field‑goal rate. The article outlines three key angles: the impact of Irving and Flagg, the challenge of containing Antetokounmpo, and the statistical edge the Mavericks hold heading into the 6:30 p.m. tip‑off at the Kaseya Center.
The San Antonio Spurs snap an 0‑2 start with a 122-106 win over the Dallas Mavericks, but coach Mitch Johnson says the victory still feels like a loss. De’Aaron Fox echoed the sentiment, noting the team’s low floor and inconsistency despite returning all Finals‑bound talent. Johnson highlighted the need for “consistent effort, togetherness and execution,” calling the first‑half paint dominance impressive but warning the Spurs aren’t yet at their standard. With only two tough games left before Thanksgiving, the Spurs aim to raise their level before facing higher‑seed opponents.
Rookie guard Sergio de Larrea burst onto the NBA scene, scoring his first 21 career points in Dallas’ 122‑106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 24. The 20‑year‑old, a 25th‑overall pick in the 2026 draft, shot 9‑of‑15 from the floor and added five rebounds and four assists off the bench, leading all reserves. With Cooper Flagg sidelined and Kyrie Irving resting, Coach Dusty May praised de Larrea’s defense, hustle and confidence, noting his rapid adaptation to the league’s speed. The Spaniard, a former Liga ACB Best Young Player and 2025 Spanish Supercup MVP, now earns more minutes as the Mavericks look to blend youth with veteran depth.
Kyrie Irving remains off the Dallas Mavericks’ injury report for Monday’s clash with the Miami Heat after sitting out Saturday’s 122-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs for left‑knee management. He posted 24 points in 25 minutes during Friday’s 121-105 win over Indiana, his first game since tearing his ACL on March 3, 2025. Coach Dusty May says Dallas cleared him for Friday but has not decided on back‑to‑back play, noting there’s “certainly a chance” Irving will suit up both nights. The Heat enter the game 0‑3, while Dallas also lists several players—including Cooper Flagg (questionable) and Naji Marshall (ill)—as sidelined.