Basketball fans in Texas and California have seen a lot of weird things, but nothing quite matches the current reality of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers rivalry. It’s basically a mirror universe situation now. If you haven't been keeping up with the 2025-26 season, you’ve missed the fallout from a trade that literally shifted the tectonic plates of the Western Conference.
The Mavs and Lakers are inextricably linked by the Luka Dončić trade. Ten months ago, Dallas sent their generational superstar to Hollywood. In return, they got a package headlined by Anthony Davis. It was a "win-now" swing for the fences by Dallas management.
Honestly, it's been a disaster for one side.
The Luka Dončić Factor in Purple and Gold
When we talk about the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers games lately, the elephant in the room is Luka wearing a Lakers jersey. It still looks wrong. But the results? They speak for themselves. In their most recent high-stakes meeting on November 28, 2025, during the NBA Cup, the Lakers walked away with a 129-119 victory.
Luka was a nightmare for his old team. He put up 35 points and 11 assists, carving up a Dallas defense that used to celebrate his every bucket. Seeing him orchestrate the floor alongside LeBron James is sorta like watching a basketball cheat code. LeBron, who just turned 41, doesn't even have to carry the scoring load anymore. He managed just 13 points in that November game because Austin Reaves went off for 38.
The Lakers are currently sitting at 23-14, comfortable in the 5th seed of the West. They play with a level of joy that’s been missing for years.
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Dallas and the "What If" Problem
On the other side, the Dallas Mavericks are struggling. Hard. They’re 15-25, stuck at 12th in the West. You’ve gotta feel for them. The plan was to pair Anthony Davis with Kyrie Irving and rookie sensation Cooper Flagg to create a defensive juggernaut.
It hasn't happened.
Anthony Davis is facing the same old story: injuries. He’s currently sidelined with ligament damage in his left hand after a nasty play against Utah on January 8, 2026. Before that, it was calf and groin issues. He’s missed nearly half the season. When he’s on the floor, he's great—averaging 20.4 points and 11.1 rebounds—but "when" is the operative word.
Kyrie Irving hasn't even touched the court this season. He's still recovering from the ACL tear he suffered last March. Without those two, the Mavs are basically asking a teenager to save the franchise.
Cooper Flagg: The Only Bright Spot?
If you're a Mavs fan looking for a reason to not throw your remote at the TV, it's Cooper Flagg. The No. 1 overall pick has been everything as advertised. In that same Lakers loss, the kid had:
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- 13 points
- 11 assists
- 7 rebounds
- 3 steals
He’s versatile. He’s tough. He’s the future. But he’s also 19. Expecting him to beat a Lakers team featuring two of the top five players of all time is just asking too much.
Breaking Down the Matchup
When these two teams meet, the tactical battle is fascinating because of how much they know about each other. Lakers coach JJ Redick (yes, he's still there) has built a system that maximizes Luka’s gravity. They run a lot of "Spain" pick-and-rolls that leave Dallas defenders like P.J. Washington or Dereck Lively II in a blender.
Dallas, led by Jason Kidd, is trying to stay afloat with a "scrappy" identity. They play at the 5th fastest pace in the league (101.7), mostly because they have to. They can't win in a half-court grind without their stars. They rely on Ryan Nembhard to push the ball and hope Klay Thompson can find some vintage magic from the corners.
Klay recently hit his 900th career game, which is a cool milestone, but he’s shooting a career-low from three. The spacing just isn't there when the defense doesn't fear the interior threat of a healthy AD.
What to Watch for Next
The next time we see the Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers is January 24, 2026, at the American Airlines Center. This is a massive game for Dallas. Rumors are swirling that the Mavs might be active before the February 5 trade deadline.
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There’s talk that if AD can’t stay healthy, they might look to move him again to recoup some of the assets they lost in the Luka deal. It sounds crazy, but being 10 games under .500 changes your perspective.
The Lakers, meanwhile, are looking like true contenders. They aren't just winning; they’re blowing teams out. Their net rating is positive for the first time in years. They found a gem in Deandre Ayton, who has settled into a perfect "third option" role, finishing with 17 points in their last meeting with Dallas.
The Realities of the Standings
The Western Conference is a bloodbath. Oklahoma City is at the top with a ridiculous 33-7 record, and the Spurs are right behind them. For the Lakers, every game against a sub-.500 team like Dallas is a "must-win" to stay out of the play-in tournament. For Dallas, it’s about pride and proving that the trade wasn't the biggest mistake in franchise history.
If you're betting or just watching for the narrative, keep an eye on the injury report. If AD isn't back by the 24th, expect the Lakers to hunt mismatches all night long.
To get the most out of the next matchup, watch the off-ball movement of Austin Reaves. He has become the primary beneficiary of the Luka-LeBron gravity. While everyone watches the stars, Reaves is cutting into open space and shooting nearly 42% from deep. If Dallas doesn't fix their defensive rotations, it’s going to be another long night in Big D. Check the late-night injury updates on Davis's hand surgery decision, as that will dictate the Mavs' entire strategy for the rest of January.