Throughout the offseason, Dallas Mavericks fans have eagerly awaited the end of October for the NBA season to tip off again. This offseason felt notably shorter as Dallas made it all the way to the 2024 NBA Finals, and now fans are anxious to see how the new additions will blend with the successful core from last season.
Dallas’ offseason was highlighted by a sign-and-trade deal for Klay Thompson, along with other key moves such as acquiring Quentin Grimes and signing Naji Marshall. The Mavericks are set to kick off their season at home on October 24 against the San Antonio Spurs, and with the full schedule now released, fans are eagerly marking important dates on their calendars.
While many fans are excited to see Klay Thompson’s return to the Bay Area on November 12, there are plenty of other marquee matchups to watch. Dallas has two opportunities to avenge their losses against the Boston Celtics on January 25 and February 6, and they also have a much-anticipated Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Unbelievable 10-game stretch in January will determine Mavericks’ fate.
However, the most critical stretch of the season is an intense 10-game run in January that could determine the Mavericks’ fate. Every team faces tough stretches in their schedule, but this 10-game series in January is particularly grueling.
Starting on January 7, Dallas hosts the Los Angeles Lakers, and the following nine games will be crucial as the Mavericks fight for position in the Western Conference standings. After the Lakers, they face the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by two tough games against the Denver Nuggets at home. Dallas has struggled against Denver recently, losing four of their last six matchups, though fans will recall Kyrie Irving’s memorable left-handed game-winner in their most recent clash.
Following the Denver games, Dallas heads to New Orleans to face the Pelicans, then returns home to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The atmosphere will be electric as this is their first home game of the season against the Thunder. Afterward, Dallas travels to Charlotte to play the Hornets, leading into the most challenging three-game stretch of the season: a home game against Minnesota, an away game against Oklahoma City, and a home game against Boston on January 25.
During this 10-game stretch, Dallas will face six teams that won 50 games last season. The timing, right after the new year, will be when elite teams begin to solidify their positions as serious contenders, and the Mavericks will have their work cut out for them as 2025 begins.
No other part of the 2024-25 season will be as tough as this one for Dallas, and a strong performance during this period could provide the momentum they need to push for a top seed in the Western Conference.