Dallas aims to stay in the play-in picture on this road swing.
The Dallas Mavericks (34-37, 14-21 away) will travel to the East Coast to take on the Brooklyn Nets (23-48, 11-22 home) Monday at 6:30 p.m. This contest will begin a four-game road trip that includes stops at the New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, and Chicago Bulls. After this tilt with Brooklyn, only ten games remain for Dallas on the regular season schedule.
Returning to the lineup
Upgrading a player to doubtful on the official injury report indicates that a return to the floor is approaching. After working out with the Texas Legends — and on a local golf course — expect to see Anthony Davis return to the lineup for the Mavericks at some point on this trip.
After my report yesterday that Anthony Davis is poised to return from a left adductor strain during the Mavericks’ upcoming four-game road trip, Dallas has officially upgraded Davis to doubtful Monday at Brooklyn.
Full story on Davis’ looming comeback: https://t.co/qxmBZdQrvz https://t.co/KIglmF7w7l
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 23, 2025
You can fairly debate the merits of a return and the risk of a potential reinjury on his readiness next season should surgery become necessary. Yet one thing cannot be debated — the Mavericks need healthy bodies.
Will Davis return and remain healthy the rest of the way? Will his return propel the Mavericks into the play-in tournament and out of the lottery? Stay tuned. Something tells me the last bit of drama is yet to come.
The Nets grind on
After trading away ironman Mikal Bridges for a king’s ransom in the offseason, the Nets signaled they were content to collect assets and lean into the rebuild. This season’s win total has reflected this reality as they sit at 23-48.
Here’s a staggering notion: Daisy chain these three facts in your mind without wincing. The Dallas Mavericks were in the NBA Finals (not called the championship games, Patrick) last season. The Brooklyn Nets have lost 13 of their last 15 games. The Dallas Mavericks’ win total is a mere 11 games higher than Brooklyn’s (34 to 23) heading into tonight’s game. If that does not send a shiver down your basketball spine, I am not sure what will.
The game winner
Alas, what more innocent times we had two years ago? Sure that season stunk up the joint but was not quite the evisceration of hopes and dreams we have seen this time around. As the Mavericks return to the Barclays Center — how about a bittersweet trip down memory lane? Having a player with the ball in his hands that struck fear into teams in late-game pick-your-poison situations was a blessing we will experience that way again.
If you told me the shooter would be a Maverick past the point of the passer on this play, I would have told you to lay off the edibles. I am sorry in advance for the wistful pain the following clip will stir in many of you.
Where to Watch
The game will be broadcast on KFAA channel 29 and Mavs TV at 6:30 p.m. CST. League Pass is available for those outside the Mavericks regional TV market.