If you're frantically checking your phone to see who won Mavs game tonight against the Denver Nuggets, you're probably noticing a lot of conflicting live tickers. Here’s the deal: as of Wednesday evening, January 14, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks are currently locked in a slugfest with the Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. The game tipped off at 8:30 PM CST, and if the first half is any indication, we’re in for another heart-stopper.
Honestly, Dallas fans have been on a total rollercoaster lately. Just when you think they’ve found a rhythm, something shifts. Coming into tonight, the Mavs held a 15-25 record. Not exactly what anyone envisioned after the hype of the off-season, but that's the NBA for you.
The Cooper Flagg Factor in Dallas
Look, we have to talk about the kid. Cooper Flagg has been the absolute North Star for this franchise in a season that otherwise feels a bit murky. He’s coming off a massive performance on Monday night where he basically willed the team to a 113-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets.
He dropped 27 points in that one. What was more impressive, though, was how he handled the constant double-teams. The Nets threw everything but the kitchen sink at him, and he just kept making the right play. It’s rare to see a rookie—even a number one pick—play with that kind of "old soul" composure.
In tonight's matchup against Denver, the spotlight is even brighter. Facing off against a Nuggets squad that is 27-13 and looks like a well-oiled machine is the ultimate litmus test for Flagg.
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Life Without Anthony Davis
It’s the elephant in the room. The Mavs are currently navigating a brutal stretch without Anthony Davis. News broke just a day or two ago that AD has ligament damage in his left hand. The silver lining? He won't need surgery. The catch? He's out for at least six weeks.
Basically, the interior defense has to be a "by committee" effort now. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are being asked to do a massive amount of heavy lifting. Against a Denver team that usually features Nikola Jokic (though Jamal Murray and Peyton Watson have been the ones torching teams lately), that lack of AD's rim protection is glaring.
Who Won Mavs Game? Recent Results and Trends
If you missed the last few outings, the Mavs have been a bit of an enigma. They beat the Kings on the road (100-98) and took down the Rockets (110-104), but then they got absolutely handled by the Chicago Bulls, 125-107.
- Monday, Jan 12: Dallas 113, Brooklyn 105 (W)
- Saturday, Jan 10: Chicago 125, Dallas 107 (L)
- Thursday, Jan 8: Utah 116, Dallas 114 (L)
- Tuesday, Jan 6: Dallas 100, Sacramento 98 (W)
The win against Brooklyn was a much-needed palette cleanser. It snapped a two-game skid and showed that even with a depleted roster, they can beat teams they're "supposed" to beat. But tonight against Denver? That’s a different beast entirely.
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The Nuggets are coming in hot. They just squeaked by the Pelicans 122-116. Jamal Murray is playing at an All-NBA level right now, averaging over 18 points and 4 rebounds over his last ten, but it's Peyton Watson who has really stepped up as a secondary scoring threat.
The Matchup Breakdown: Nuggets vs. Mavericks
When you look at the stats, this game was always going to be an uphill battle for Dallas. Denver leads the league in scoring (122.7 PPG) and field goal percentage. They shoot the lights out. Dallas, meanwhile, has struggled with consistency on the offensive end, often ranking in the bottom third of the league in offensive rating this season.
However, the Mavs have had Denver's number recently. Believe it or not, Dallas won the first two meetings of this season series. On December 23, they pulled off a 131-130 miracle. It’s one of those weird NBA quirks where a sub-.500 team just matches up perfectly against a contender.
What to Watch in the Final Minutes
If the game is still going while you're reading this, watch the three-point line. Dallas is 6-5 when they keep their turnovers lower than their opponents, but their real path to victory is through the arc. With Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson (yes, he's still a threat you can't leave open) spacing the floor, Flagg has room to operate.
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If Dallas can force Denver into a half-court game and limit those transition points—where the Bulls killed them last week—they have a real shot at the upset.
Navigating the Rest of January
Winning tonight would be huge for momentum, especially with a double-header against Utah coming up next. The Mavs need to stack wins fast if they want to climb out of the 12th spot in the Western Conference.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Keep a close eye on the updates for Anthony Davis. Six weeks is a long time in the NBA, and the Mavs' playoff hopes might hinge on how many games they can "steal" while he's in a suit on the bench.
- Focus on Flagg's Usage: Expect the rookie's usage rate to climb even higher. He is the offense right now.
- Check the Western Conference Standings: The gap between the 12th seed and the play-in tournament is manageable, but it’s closing.
To see the final verified score once the buzzer sounds at the American Airlines Center, you can check the official NBA box score or the Mavs' social media channels. Based on the way this season has gone, expect it to come down to the final possession.