So, you’re looking for the next tip-off. Honestly, being a Mavs fan right now feels a little like riding a roller coaster that’s missing a few bolts, doesn’t it? We’re in the thick of the 2025-26 season, and the "when" is just as important as the "who" given how much this roster has transformed. If you’re asking when do dallas mavericks play again, the short answer is Wednesday night.
The Mavericks are back at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, to face off against Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets.
This isn't just another mid-week game. It's a massive test for a squad that is currently sitting at 15-25, clawing for relevance in a Western Conference that feels more like a shark tank than a basketball league. After the earth-shattering Luka Dončić trade to the Lakers last year, every game is basically a progress report on the "Cooper Flagg Era."
Mark Your Calendar: Upcoming Mavericks Games
If you're trying to plan your week around the MFFL life, the schedule is actually pretty packed. They aren't getting much rest. After the Nuggets game, it's a back-to-back situation.
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- January 14 (Wed): vs. Denver Nuggets at 8:30 PM CST.
- January 15 (Thu): vs. Utah Jazz at 7:30 PM CST.
- January 17 (Sat): vs. Utah Jazz (again!) at 4:00 PM CST.
- January 19 (Mon): at New York Knicks at 4:00 PM CST (MLK Day showdown at the Garden).
The home-and-home (well, home-and-home in the same building) against the Jazz on Thursday and Saturday is kind of weird, but it's a huge opportunity. Utah is right there with Dallas in the standings. If the Mavs want to sniff the play-in tournament, they basically have to sweep that mini-series.
The Weird Reality of the 2026 Mavericks
It’s still weird seeing Anthony Davis in a Mavs jersey while Luka is out West in purple and gold. Life comes at you fast. Most experts, including the folks over at Basketball-Reference, didn't expect the Mavs to be quite this shaky, but injuries have been the real story here.
Kyrie Irving is still the biggest "if" on the roster. We’ve been waiting on his return from that ACL surgery forever. Reports just dropped this morning (January 13) suggesting his return date is finally coming into focus, but don’t expect him on the floor for the Nuggets game.
Then you’ve got Cooper Flagg. The kid is incredible. He’s averaging nearly 20 points as a rookie and is actually 16th in West All-Star fan voting right now. Watching him develop is pretty much the main reason to tune in while the team finds its identity. He’s been the silver lining in a season that's felt a bit like a "soft tank" at times.
Why the Next Few Games Matter
When you look at when do dallas mavericks play again, you have to look at the context of the standings. Dallas is 12th in the West. They’re 18.5 games back from the top-seeded Thunder. Yeah, that's a lot.
But they’re only a couple of games behind the Grizzlies and Clippers for a potential play-in spot. The Nuggets game on Wednesday is a "measuring stick" game. Can Anthony Davis hold his own against Jokić? Can Flagg handle the physicality of Aaron Gordon? It’s going to be a grind.
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Also, keep an eye on the January 29th game against Charlotte. They’re finally retiring Mark Aguirre's jersey. It’s a nice nod to the past during a season that's very much focused on the future.
How to Watch the Mavs
Since the broadcast landscape shifted, catching the games isn't as straightforward as it used to be. Most local games are on TEGNA-owned stations or through their streaming setups.
- Local TV: Check your local TEGNA affiliate.
- Radio: 97.1 The Freak (KEGL) is still the home for the audio play-by-play.
- National: The Knicks game on the 19th is likely to get some national "big stage" love because, well, it's Madison Square Garden.
What to Watch For on Wednesday
Keep an eye on the rotation. Jason Kidd has been experimenting a lot lately. With the trade deadline approaching in February, some of the vets like Klay Thompson or P.J. Washington Jr. might be playing for their spots—or playing to look good for potential suitors.
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It’s a transitional year. It’s messy. But honestly, watching a generational talent like Flagg grow up in real-time makes the 15-25 record a lot easier to swallow.
If you're heading to the AAC on Wednesday, the doors usually open 90 minutes before the 8:30 PM tip. Expect a lot of Jokić fans in the building—Denver travels well—but the Dallas crowd has stayed surprisingly loyal through this rebuild.
To stay ahead of the curve, sync your digital calendar with the official NBA app schedule. Things change fast with flex scheduling, especially for those late January games against the Lakers and Warriors. You’ll want to be ready when the Mavs try to play spoiler against the league's heavyweights.