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Mavericks vs Spurs Quoteboard: “The best scenario for us is to have multiple (ball) handlers”
In a post‑game quoteboard, Dallas Mavericks guard Sergio de Larrea praised the Spurs' pressure and highlighted the need for multiple ball‑handlers to combat San Antonio’s defensive schemes. De Larrea logged 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 33 minutes, while the Mavericks struggled with turnovers and adapting to the Spurs’ size switches. Coach Dusty May noted the team’s success hitting tough mid‑range shots and back‑door cuts, but also admitted the second‑half stagnation. The piece also mentions a highlight alley‑oop dunk and the importance of chemistry as the Mavericks seek a tighter game plan.
Player Grades: Sergio De Larrea shines in the Dallas Mavericks home opening 122-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs
In Dallas' home opener, the Mavericks fall 122-106 to the Spurs but rookie Sergio De Larrea shines with an A+ performance, dropping 21 points on 75% shooting, plus 5 rebounds and 4 assists in 32 minutes. Without Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving, veterans Naji Marshall (B+) and P.J. Washington (B) provided solid contributions, while newcomers Zaccharie Risacher (B+) and Marcus Sasser (A-) offered energy and scoring. Daniel Gafford rebounds with a B+ showing off a half‑court steal‑to‑dunk. The grade rundown highlights who stood out and who may need more minutes as the Mavs look to rebound from the loss.
Stats Rundown: 4 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ 122-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs
The Mavericks fall 122-106 to the Spurs in their first of 16 back‑to‑backs, missing Cooper Flagg (shoulder) and resting Kyrie Irving. Highlights: Coach Dusty May stays perfect on challenges (5‑for‑5), while the Spurs exploit a 25‑10 second‑chance points edge, out‑rebounding Dallas by 2.5×. Rookie Sergio De Larrea leads Dallas with 21 points, shooting 9‑of‑15, showing promise despite Irving’s absence. Dallas plates 14 defensive stocks (steals + blocks) and counters with a strong 28‑15 fast‑break advantage. The piece underscores rebounding woes and the impact of strategic challenges on the Mavericks’ early season outlook.
Mavericks vs. Spurs Recap: Shorthanded Dallas crumbles late, 122-106, against San Antonio
The Dallas Mavericks fall 122-106 to the San Antonio Spurs in a shorthanded home opener on Oct. 24, 2026. Kyrie Irving sat out for injury management and rookie Cooper Flagg missed the game after a hard foul, leaving Coach Dusty May to rely on a makeshift lineup. Despite the odds, rookie Sergio de Larrea shines with a team‑high 21 points (9‑of‑15 shooting, 3‑of‑4 from three) and key assists, while Zaccharie Risacher, Naji Marshall and PJ Washington contribute before the Spurs’ trio of Devin Vassell, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox pull ahead. The loss drops Dallas to 1‑2 as the Spurs showcase depth early in the Western Conference season.
Mavericks vs Spurs Preview and Injury Update: Injury-laden home opener for Dallas
The Mavericks open the 2026‑27 season at home against a winless Spurs squad on Saturday, 7 p.m. CST at the American Airlines Center. Dallas (1‑1) rides a victory over Indiana but faces a crippling injury list: Cooper Flagg (AC‑joint sprain), Kyrie Irving (planned rest), Santi Aldama, Dereck Lively, Caleb Martin and Tarik Biberovic are all out, leaving Coach Dusty May with a thin bench. San Antonio (0‑2) also rests Tobias Harris but will rely on Victor Wembanyama to dominate. The matchup promises a test for Dallas’s young players like Marcus Sasser, Sergio De Larrea and Morez Johnson.
MMBets: The Spurs come to town in the Mavericks’ home opener
The Dallas Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs in their home opener after a 121-105 win over Indiana, but injuries leave them shorthanded. Cooper Flagg (shoulder) and frontcourt pieces Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama are out, giving Victor Wembanyama a clear advantage. Wembanyama posted 25 points and 13 rebounds against the Rockets, and the Spurs are projected as -12.5 favorites with the game total set at 231.5. The analysis backs a Mavericks +12.5 bet, an under 231.5 total, and a Wembanyama over 11.5 rebounds play, while suggesting Daniel Gafford under 6.5 rebounds due to limited minutes.
3 things to know before the Dallas Mavericks home opener against the San Antonio Spurs
The Dallas Mavericks open their season at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday after a 121‑105 preseason win over Indiana. Cooper Flagg, who posted 17 points, five rebounds and six assists before leaving with a shoulder sprain, is ruled out, leaving the Mavs to rely on depth and a potential Kyrie Irving return—his first regular‑season action since tearing his ACL in March 2025. Meanwhile, Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, fresh off a 40‑point performance against Dallas last year, is expected to dominate. Both teams are coming off back‑to‑back games, so workload management could shape the contest.
Stats Rundown: 6 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ 121-105 win at the Indiana Pacers
The Dallas Mavericks notch their new coach Dusty May’s first win, beating the Indiana Pacers 121-105 on Oct. 23, 2026. Kyrie Irving leads with 24 points on 5‑of‑10 shooting from deep, while PJ Washington adds 20 and 13 rebounds. A dominant 44‑point first quarter, sparked by a 22‑6 run, and a 15‑0 second‑quarter burst give Dallas a 77‑43 halftime lead. The bench outperforms Indiana’s reserves 28‑6 early, though the Pacers’ bench narrows the gap with a 19‑2 third‑quarter run. Cooper Flagg exits with a shoulder injury, but the Mavericks hold a 98‑76 lead into the fourth quarter to seal the victory.
Mavericks vs. Pacers Recap: 4 things that mattered in Dallas’ 121-105 win at Indiana
The Dallas Mavericks claim their first win of the 2026‑27 season, beating the Indiana Pacers 121‑105 in Indianapolis on Oct. 23. Kyrie Irving leads with 24 points, 5‑of‑10 from three and passes franchise legend Mark Aguirre on the all‑time scoring list. P.J. Washington adds 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, while Max Christie contributes 16 points. Dallas erupts for 44 first‑quarter points and builds a 77‑43 halftime lead, but a sloppy third quarter and Irving’s foul trouble threaten a collapse before Naji Marshall and Christie hit key shots to seal the victory. The biggest concern is Cooper Flagg, who leaves after a hard foul and is ruled out, potentially hurting the Mavericks during a tough late‑October stretch.
Cooper Flagg exits game at Indiana Pacers with injured shoulder after Nesmith flagrant foul
Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg leaves the October 23 game against the Indiana Pacers with left‑shoulder soreness after a hard foul by Aaron Nesmith late in the second quarter. Despite making two free throws to finish with 14 points, six assists and five rebounds, Flagg does not return for the second half and is ruled out for the night. The incident sparks a double‑technical foul and a scuffle between Naji Marshall and Nesmith, while Mavericks coach inserts Marshall into the starting lineup. The team labels the injury “soreness,” leaving fans anxious about Flagg’s recovery timeline.
Mavericks vs Pacers Preview and Injury Update: Early game on Friday
The Dallas Mavericks (0-1) travel to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday at 6 p.m. CST for their second road game, facing a 1‑0 Indiana Pacers squad that just beat the New Orleans Pelicans 123‑120. The Pacers debut Tyrese Haliburton, returning from an Achilles tear that sidelined him for the 2025‑26 season, while Indiana also misses TJ McConnell (hamstring) and lists Aaron Nesmith and Ben Sheppard as questionable. Dallas still lacks Dereck Lively, Santi Aldama, Tarik Biberovic (heel bursitis), Caleb Martin (thumb sprain) and has Jett Howard doubtful (calf). The Mavericks must improve transition defense and rebounding to bounce back from a loss to the Rockets.
MMBets: Dallas finds themselves in a tough spot against Indiana
After a 128-110 loss that saw Dallas trail by 37 points before a late rally, the Mavericks (0-1) face a daunting road test against the Pacers (1-0) in Indianapolis. Indiana opens the season with a win over New Orleans, highlighted by Tyrese Haliburton’s return from a torn Achilles and the addition of center Ivana Zubac. The Pacers are 7.5-point favorites, with betting lines favoring Zubac to exceed 27.5 points and Obi Toppin under 12.5. Dallas must overcome a hostile home crowd and a strong rebounding matchup to pull off a upset.
The Mavs forgot they were a passing team
The Dallas Mavericks unravel in a disastrous second quarter of their season‑opening loss to the Houston Rockets, dropping 12 points while conceding 38. Coach Dusty May blames rushed shooting and poor ball movement, noting the team forgot its new “passing‑first” identity. Key missteps include P.J. Washington’s premature three‑point attempts, an offensive foul on Washington, and early‑clock three attempts from Naji Marshall, all despite having Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg and potential Hall‑of‑Famer talent on the floor. Irving criticizes the effort and defense, calling the quarter “horrendous,” while May seeks to instill a team‑oriented culture. The article argues that bench players who understand ball sharing may be the solution.
3 things to think about before the Mavericks play the Pacers
The Mavericks travel to Indianapolis on Friday night for their first chance at a season win, facing a Pacers squad that opened with a victory over New Orleans. New head coach Dusty May’s experimental rotations—10 players in the first quarter against the Rockets—raise questions about early line‑up stability. Dallas must tighten defense, cutting fast‑break points after allowing 32 off 21 turnovers versus Houston, while improving a cold three‑point start (11‑of‑37) and free‑throw shooting (17‑of‑26). Also highlighted is Tyrese Haliburton’s first non‑exhibition game back at Gainbridge Fieldhouse since June 2025. The game tips off 6 p.m. CDT on KFAA‑TV, Mavs TV, and NBA League Pass.
Marcus Sasser’s big game off the bench begs the question: Have the Mavericks found a backup guard?
In the Mavericks’ 128-110 season‑opener loss to the Rockets, bench guard Marcus Sasser impressed with 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting (4-of-5 from three) in under 24 minutes. Acquired in July’s six‑team deal, Sasser’s efficient burst—including multiple threes and a late run—ignited speculation that Dallas finally has a reliable backup guard. With Kyrie Irving set for rest games and the Mavs guard‑light, his performance could cement a vital sixth‑man role alongside fellow bench scorer Naji Marshall.
Mavericks coach Dusty May breaks down Flagg’s, Irving’s season-opening performances
The Mavericks stumble to a 128-110 loss against Kevin Durant's Houston Rockets in their season opener, but rookie Cooper Flagg shines with a game‑high 32 points, 11 free‑throws made and solid defense. Kyrie Irving, returning after a 600‑day ACL layoff, adds 15 points but is limited to nine shots by Houston's defense. Coach Dusty May praises Flagg's second‑half surge and improved pace, while noting the need to generate more off‑ball movement and reduce turnovers. May also highlights Irving’s leadership despite limited opportunities and stresses fixing free‑throw and possession issues before the road games against Indiana and San Antonio.
Walter Clayton Jr. player profile: Championship DNA, shot making and a swing worth taking
The Dallas Mavericks sign former Florida guard Walter Clayton Jr. to a two‑way deal after his turbulent rookie year with Utah and Memphis. Clayton, the 2025 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player who led the Gators to the title with clutch performances against UConn, Texas Tech and Houston, was taken 18th overall by the Jazz. In Memphis he posted nearly six assists per game and shot 50% from three in April, but struggled overall, hitting just 31% from deep and 47% on two‑pointers across 24 games. At 6‑2, 60% rim‑scoring in college and 40% spot‑up three‑point shooting, his fearlessness and improved playmaking could make him a versatile spark plug for Dallas.
Mavericks vs. Rockets Quoteboard: “They outworked us, to be honest. They did a better job.”
In the season opener on Oct. 21, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks fell 128-110 to the Houston Rockets, marking a 0-1 start. Coach Dusty May blamed a disastrous second quarter—poor transition defense and lost composure—for the loss, noting the Rockets “outworked” them. Rookie Cooper Flagg sparked a comeback, scoring 23 of his 32 points in the second half and shooting 11‑of‑13 from the line. Reserve guard Marcus Sasser also performed well. May highlighted communication lapses and the need to tighten up on fast‑break coverage against stars Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr., while praising the first‑unit’s effort despite the defeat.
Player Grades: Recapping the Mavericks’ 128-110 opening night loss at the Rockets
The Dallas Mavericks (0-1) opened the 2026-27 season against the in-state rival Houston Rockets (1-0) on Wednesday night, falling 128-110 at the Toyota Center after one of the worst second quarters you will ever see. The long-awaited return of Kyrie Irving only halfway materialized, as the veteran guard logged just 24 minutes in his first […]
Stats Rundown: 3 numbers to know from the Mavericks’ season-opening 128-110 loss at the Rockets
The Dallas Mavericks (0-1) dropped their season opener to the Houston Rockets (1-0) on Wednesday, losing 128-110 in Houston. Cooper Flagg led all scorers with 32 points, while Kevin Durant and Jabari Smith Jr. led the Rockets with 30 points each. It was a disappointing start to the season for the new look Mavericks, as […]
Mavericks vs. Rockets Recap: Dallas gets pummeled at Houston in season opener, 128-110
The Dallas Mavericks (0-1) opened the regular season on Wednesday with a 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets (1-0), and for about 12 minutes, it looked like we might get a competitive basketball game. Dallas actually started well. P.J. Washington knocked down the first basket of the season from three, Cooper Flagg hit one of […]
Mavericks vs Rockets Preview and Injury Update: Game 1, Let’s do this
The Dallas Mavericks start the 2026-27 season by visiting the Houston Rockets. After playing twice in the preseason in Macau, these two face off twice in the first 10 days of the season. Divisional rivals playing four times in a month? Familiarity breeds contempt, even when two of the games were just tune ups. Here’s […]
Mavericks sign Walter Clayton Jr. to two-way contract
The Dallas Mavericks signed Walter Clayton Jr. to a two-way contract on Wednesday, adding the No. 18 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft to the team’s final roster. Clayton joins the Mavericks after a rookie season where he averaged 7.8 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists across 69 games for the Utah Jazz and Memphis […]
Join us for the 2026-27 Mavs season on the SB Nation app
Almost two months ago, we announced the release of our new app, which you can find here or by searching SB Nation in your neighborhood app store. The app is available in North America, and we’re working on Europe and the rest of the world as we speak! Quite a few of you have downloaded […]
The Spanish national team coach is pleased with De Larrea’s preseason: “Sergio is playing exceptionally well”
“Sergio is playing exceptionally well, especially in passing and creating plays,” Spanish National Team coach, Chus Mateo, told NBA reporter and friend of the site, Toni Canyameras. The Spanish point guard out of Valencia averaged 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, five assists and averaged 66.7 percent on three-pointers (on three shots per game) this preseason. Unsustainable, […]
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