The Dallas Mavericks (23-48, 14-22 at home) took the Los Angeles Clippers to overtime on Saturday before falling 138-131. Despite their record, the Mavericks continue to compete, and on Monday at 8:30 PM CT, they host the Golden State Warriors (33-38, 14-23 away). The Warriors will be without Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, relying heavily on Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski. Both teams have lost eight of their last ten games, meaning one losing streak will end tonight.
The Mavericks are losing the right way
Dallas currently sits between sixth and seventh in the Tankathon standings, with a 9.0% chance of securing the top pick in the upcoming draft. The NBA fined the Utah Jazz $500,000 and the Indiana Pacers $100,000 in February for prioritizing draft position over winning, specifically citing actions like resting healthy players in crucial moments.
The Mavericks, however, are not engaging in such tactics. Jason Kidd is utilizing a competitive rotation, and veterans like Washington, Gafford, Marshall, and Thompson are playing to win. PJ Washington is averaging 14.6 points and 6.9 rebounds since the start of March, scoring 21 points against the Clippers on Saturday. Daniel Gafford scored 24 points in 22 minutes against Atlanta last Wednesday. The team maintains a sense of pride despite their record, sitting eight games back of Indiana and two behind Utah in the loss column.
The cost of betting on aging stars
Stephen Curry, 37 years old, averages 27.2 points when healthy, a figure surpassed only by LeBron James at that age. However, Curry has been sidelined since January 30 with a runner’s knee injury, and the Warriors have gone 6-13 in his absence, winning 59% of games with him and 32% without.
Golden State made a calculated gamble last season by acquiring Jimmy Butler, hoping to extend Curry’s championship window. Both Curry and Butler suffered ACL injuries within weeks of each other in January. The Mavericks experienced a similar situation with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis, both of whom were intended to bridge the gap to the next era of the franchise. Irving is currently missing the entire season due to an ACL recovery, and Davis was traded to Washington. Unlike Golden State, Dallas now has Cooper Flagg, while the Warriors rely on Draymond Green.
Curry is expected to return as early as Wednesday, but tonight’s game in Dallas is likely one of his last absences. The 2022 Western Conference Finals featured only two players still with their original teams who may play tonight: Draymond Green and Dwight Powell.
Klay Thompson, who scored 32 points in the Game 5 clincher of the 2022 Western Conference Finals, is now a member of the Mavericks, averaging 11.8 points. His contract runs through next season, but a trade could occur as the new GM builds around Cooper Flagg.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mavericks’ current record?
The Dallas Mavericks are currently 23-48 with a 14-22 record at home.
Which Warriors players will not be playing tonight?
Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler will not be playing for the Golden State Warriors tonight.
What is the tip-off time for the Mavericks-Warriors game?
The Mavericks and Warriors game tips off at 8:30 PM CT on Monday.
Will the Mavericks’ competitive spirit be enough to break their losing streak, or will the Warriors, even without key players, find a way to win?
