The Dallas Mavericks’ offseason has been energetic but transitional. The Mavericks’ focus has been clearer, with a goal to build around Cooper Flagg as they await the veterans’ returns. The Mavs’ NBA Summer League slate has been in full effect, so here’s an in-depth look at their exhibition games.
In Case You Missed It
The Dallas Mavericks fell 90-71 to the Los Angeles Lakers at the Thomas & Mack Center last Saturday. The Mavericks crumbled after trailing the Lakers in a close lead, 47-44, at halftime. Ryan Nembhard led the Mavs with 10 points, five rebounds, and four blocks, while Arthur Kaluma led the Lakers with a game-high 34 points, to go with five rebounds.
The Lakers used a strong second half to defeat the Mavericks. The Lakers’ lead extended by 10 after three quarters. They went on an 18-0 run in the fourth quarter to take a commanding 85-59 lead. The Mavericks may have been able to keep the game close if foul trouble didn’t limit the services of Morez Johnson Jr., who finished with 10 points, five rebounds, and four blocks.
Dallas Mavericks Continue NBA Summer League
The Mavericks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 96-88 at the Thomas & Mack Center on Monday for their first Summer League win. Darin Green Jr. led the Mavs with 18 points, three rebounds, and five assists, while Cameron Boozer led the Grizzlies with 21 points, to go with eight rebounds and three assists.
The Mavs led the Grizzlies for most of the game, with the exception of one lead change. The Mavs’ largest lead, a 13-point advantage, made up for the team’s 20 turnovers compared to the Grizzlies’ 16. Former Maverick, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, added 18 points, five rebounds, and two assists. Prosper, 24, has been a bright spot on the Grizzlies’ depth chart.
The Mavs followed up with a 97-87 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday. John Poulakidas led the Mavs’ scorers with 19 points, three rebounds, and three assists, while Darin Green Jr. led the Thunder’s scorers with 18 points, to go with five rebounds and one assist.
The Mavs improved to a 2-2 record as they showed both consistency and inconsistency. Morez Johnson Jr. is the Mavs’ most impactful player so far. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City finished their Summer League run with a 0-4 record. The Thunder lost but had their best start as the ball found their outside shooters. The Thunder’s ability to put up points in a hurry stood out.
Mavericks’ Next Steps
The Mavericks conclude their Summer League slate with a fifth game against the New York Knicks in the Thomas & Mack Center on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Pacific on Amazon Prime Video.
Previously, Dallas’ fourth game against Oklahoma City saw balanced scoring from Mavs guard John Poulakidas and Thunder forward Brooks Barnhizer. Meanwhile, New York last played the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. The Knicks suffered an 87-77 loss to the Warriors. LJ Cryer led the Warriors’ scoring attack with 17 points, four rebounds, and five assists.
Moreover, Dallas enters the 2026-27 NBA regular season with a mix of rising stars and veteran leaders combined with a roster centered on a championship pedigree. But the Mavs would face a competitive Western Conference, so a chance at a 2027 NBA championship are unlikely at the moment.
If the Mavs’ roster stays healthy and maintains solid depth and a strong frontcourt, then there’s a chance. But the team’s path to a potential NBA Finals trip appears to be unclear due to the team reportedly building around Cooper Flagg, while keeping Kyrie Irving around for now.
