The Dallas Mavericks will look to rebound from a heartbreaking defeat when they host the Golden State Warriors at the American Airlines Center on Thursday night. Meanwhile, the Warriors head to Texas in pursuit of their third consecutive victory, a feat they have not achieved since mid-November, as both teams continue their battle for playoff positioning.
Mavericks Aim to Regain Momentum
Dallas enters this contest after suffering a gut-wrenching 129-128 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. The Mavericks initially appeared in control but conceded a late game-tying shot to DeMar DeRozan before he sealed the victory with a dramatic buzzer-beater.
Despite the defeat, Kyrie Irving delivered a stellar performance, posting his 10th 30-point game of the season while adding nine rebounds and seven assists. Spencer Dinwiddie also made his presence felt off the bench with a solid 20-point contribution.
Since closing out January with three wins in four games, Dallas has struggled to find consistency in February, dropping four of their last six. They currently sit eighth in the Western Conference with a 28-26 record, putting them in a tight battle for playoff positioning.
The Mavericks have been plagued by injuries in recent weeks, with key players such as Anthony Davis, Caleb Martin, and Daniel Gafford sidelined. With the regular season entering its final stretch, head coach Jason Kidd will be urging his team to rally together to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Thursday’s matchup marks the third game of a five-game homestand for Dallas, with upcoming matchups against the Miami Heat and New Orleans Pelicans looming after the All-Star break. Just under two months since securing a thrilling 143-133 victory over the Warriors, the Mavericks will look to gain a 2-1 series lead over their Western Conference rivals this season.
Warriors Eye Third Straight Win
Golden State arrives in Dallas riding high on momentum after securing back-to-back wins, including an impressive 125-111 triumph over the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
The Warriors, who recently pulled off a stunning 24-point comeback against the Chicago Bulls, were in control for most of the contest against Milwaukee. They carried a seven-point lead into halftime and maintained their composure before pulling away in the fourth quarter.
Stephen Curry, playing in his 1,000th regular-season game, reminded everyone why he remains one of the NBA’s most dominant scorers, leading Golden State with 38 points. New acquisition Jimmy Butler added 18 points, continuing to settle into the Warriors’ system.
With this recent resurgence, Golden State has climbed back into the top 10 of the Western Conference standings. They currently occupy the final play-in tournament spot but remain just two games behind the Los Angeles Clippers in sixth place, keeping their hopes of a direct playoff berth alive.
The Warriors are in the middle of a grueling seven-game road trip and will be eager to extend their winning streak with another statement victory. A triumph in Dallas would mark their first three-game winning streak of 2025, a significant boost as they push toward postseason contention.
Team News and Predicted Lineups
The Mavericks will be without newly acquired Anthony Davis, who is sidelined for up to a month with a groin injury, while Caleb Martin (hip) remains unavailable. Daniel Gafford (knee) joins fellow big men Dereck Lively and Dwight Powell on the injury list but is expected to return in the coming weeks. PJ Washington and Dante Exum are being evaluated daily, with at least one of them likely to be fit for Thursday’s clash.
For Golden State, Jonathan Kuminga is the only confirmed absentee due to an ankle injury, though he has resumed on-court workouts. Moses Moody, who was dealing with a minor injury, played against Milwaukee and delivered a 13-point performance, maintaining his season average.
Projected Starting Fives
Dallas Mavericks: Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum; Klay Thompson, Jaden Hardy; Olivier-Maxence Prosper
Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry, Buddy Hield; Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody; Draymond Green
Prediction: Warriors to Edge Tight Contest
Klay Thompson, who torched the Mavericks for 29 points in their previous meeting, will be motivated to deliver another standout performance against his former team.
Given Dallas' injury struggles and Golden State’s recent form, the Warriors are well-positioned to grind out a narrow victory, extending their winning streak to three games. Expect a closely contested battle, but the visitors should have the edge, winning by at least five points.
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