The Dallas Mavericks have officially wrapped up a season filled with twists and turns that few could have anticipated. After a stellar run to the NBA Finals last year, the franchise made headlines by trading away superstar Luka Doncic in what many are calling one of the most controversial deals in league history. As the curtain falls on the 2024-25 regular season, the Mavericks find themselves with a 39-43 record and still clinging to playoff hopes.
Currently sitting at the 10th seed, Dallas has its work cut out for them as they embark on the play-in tournament with their sights set on a postseason berth. While they won’t be able to ascend to the seventh seed, a successful run in the play-in could see them leap into the eighth spot.
First up for the Mavericks is a critical showdown against the No. 9 seed Sacramento Kings. This is a do-or-die scenario; a loss means the end of the road for Dallas. The Mavs have faced the Kings three times already this season, coming up short in all three encounters. Their most recent clash was a nail-biter that went into overtime, ending in a heartbreaking 129-128 defeat.
Should they emerge victorious against the Kings, the Mavericks would then face off against the loser of the Golden State Warriors vs. Memphis Grizzlies matchup. The Mavs have had a mixed bag of results against the Warriors this season, managing to split their four meetings. The highlight came in mid-February when they secured a hard-fought victory on February 12, 111-107, before the Warriors returned the favor later in the month with a commanding 126-102 win in the final regular-season matchup.
In contrast, the Mavericks have struggled against the Memphis Grizzlies, losing three out of four games this season. Their lone victory came during the In-Season Tournament, where they edged out the Grizzlies 121-116. However, the Mavs ended their regular season on a low note, missing six rotation players and losing another early on in Brandon Williams, making their uphill battle even steeper.
If the Mavericks can navigate through both play-in scenarios, they will earn the daunting task of facing the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round—a team that, surprisingly, the Mavericks have matched up well against this season. Dallas has handed the Thunder three of their 14 losses, winning the season series 3-1. The last time these two teams faced off was on January 23, when the Luka-less Mavericks claimed a 121-115 victory in Oklahoma City.
As the Mavericks gear up for this pivotal moment, they must channel the resilience and tenacity they exhibited last season. The journey ahead is fraught with challenges, but with their playoff lives on the line, Dallas has the opportunity to rewrite the narrative of their season. Fans will be hoping for a performance that matches the stakes—after all, in the NBA playoffs, anything can happen.
