The Dallas Mavericks are facing their toughest test yet, without the star power to navigate
You would be understood if you began to panic for the Dallas Mavericks entering 2025. What with missing Luka Doncic, while supporting cast members take turns on the injury report…only to be hit with the news that a bulging disc will now sideline their second in command in Kyrie Irving. All this while facing the steepest climb in their schedule to date.
Early returns were grim, with the Mavericks going 1-6 since Doncic’s departure on Christmas day. Final reports on how the team navigates these murky waters is still wait-and-see, but one thing it has shined a light on is how deep and diverse this team is thanks to Nico Harrison’s savvy work in the front office. And if this supporting cast can continue to develop chemistry together this team could still do damage when their stars return. The ups and downs of that journey is the focus of this week’s Power Rankings Watch.
The Athletic
Rank: 8 (Tier 3: The Bubble)
Last week: 7
2025 resolution: Explore solutions without the stars
The Mavericks are 0-3 this season without both Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, and they will be without both stars for what appears to be most of January. For a team with title aspirations, Dallas must find a way to win games. Whether that is increasing the ball movement, finding another on-ball presence or tapping into better defense, this is an opportunity for the Mavericks to develop the skill sets of their role players so that when Dončić and Irving do come back, the team is even better equipped to support the stars.
ESPN
Rank: 11
Last week: 7
Can the Mavs find a trade to replace the offensive production they’re missing while Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are sidelined by injuries? Of course not. If healthy, Dallas will be considered a dangerous playoff matchup regardless of seeding, but the Mavs could use a disruptive on-ball defender such as the Pelicans’ Javonte Green, who is on a minimum contract. — MacMahon
NBA
Rank: 9
Last week: 6
Counting the game (on Christmas) in which he was injured, the Mavs are 1-5 since Luka Dončić suffered a calf strain, sliding from fourth to sixth in the Western Conference.
Three takeaways
The Mavs have also been without Kyrie Irving (back issue) for two of the last three games, and they’re now 0-3 without either backcourt star. Their first two games without either were their two worst offensive games of the season, though the other end of the floor was a much bigger issue against Cleveland on Friday. The Mavs had as many double-digit losses last week (three) as they had previously.
When Dončić and/or Irving are out, Spencer Dinwiddie plays more. But the 31-year-old has shot just 22-for-64 (34%) over these last six games, now registering an effective field goal percentage of 46.6%, his lowest mark in the eight seasons where he’s attempted at least 200 shots. The Mavs have been outscored by 3.5 points per 100 possessions (scoring just 107.5 points per 100) in 295 minutes with Dinwiddie and Irving on the floor without Dončić.
The Mavs have still seen the league’s second-biggest jump in the percentage of their shots that have come in the paint from last season, but obviously have a tougher time scoring in the paint without Dončić. They’ve been outscored in the paint (by an average of 10.3 points) in each of these last six games.
Despite losses to the Rockets and Cavs last week, the Mavs still have a winning record (9-8) in games played between the 15 teams currently above .500. They play four of their next five games against that group, with a huge two-game series against the Nuggets starting Sunday. Irving will miss his second straight game when they play in Memphis on Monday night.
Bleacher Report
Rank: 8
Last week: 8
The last handful of games have been a pretty vivid illustration of how well the Dallas Mavericks built the supporting cast around Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving.
With both superstars out for each of the last four games, Dallas is 2-2, with one of the victories coming in blowout fashion over the Los Angeles Lakers.
And during those four games, P.J. Washington (19.3), Jaden Hardy (18.0), Quentin Grimes (17.8), Dereck Lively II (12.3), Klay Thompson (11.8), Naji Marshall (11.3) and Spencer Dinwiddie are all averaging double figures.