If you were looking for some Friday night hoops action involving the Mavs, you might’ve been a day early or a few hours late depending on how you look at your calendar. See, the Dallas Mavericks didn't actually play a game last night, Friday, January 16, 2026.
Wait. Don't close the tab yet.
While the American Airlines Center was quiet on Friday, the real story—the one everyone is actually buzzing about—happened late Thursday night. That's when Dallas absolutely dismantled the Utah Jazz in a 144-122 blowout that felt like a statement. If you're asking who won the dallas mavericks game last night, you're likely feeling the aftershocks of that Thursday clinic or getting ready for the rematch scheduled for this evening, Saturday, January 17.
The Thursday Night Fireworks: Dallas 144, Utah 122
Honestly, it wasn't even as close as the 22-point margin suggests.
Dallas came out like they had something to prove. Maybe it’s because this season has been a bit of a rollercoaster—they entered that game with a 15-26 record—but they played like a top-four seed. Klay Thompson looked like the 2017 version of himself. He dropped 26 points, including six triples, and he wasn't just spot-up shooting. He was moving, cutting, and finding teammates, ending the night with 6 assists.
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When Klay is hitting like that, the gravity he pulls opens up everything for guys like Naji Marshall.
Marshall has been a quiet revelation lately. He chipped in 22 points on Thursday. It’s kinda wild to see how well he’s integrated into this system while the team waits for the big guns to get fully healthy.
Why This Win Mattered (And Why Friday Was So Quiet)
The NBA schedule is a grind. After the 144-point explosion on Thursday, the Mavs had Friday off to recover. You've gotta remember that this team is playing shorthanded. No Kyrie Irving (knee), no Dereck Lively II (out for the season), and Cooper Flagg has been nursing an ankle.
Speaking of Flagg, the rookie has been the one bright spot in a tough 16-26 season. Even when he’s not putting up 30, his defensive versatility is basically the only thing keeping the Mavs' interior defense from collapsing.
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- Final Score: Mavericks 144, Jazz 122
- Leading Scorer: Klay Thompson (26 PTS)
- Surprise Performance: Naji Marshall (22 PTS)
- The Utah Side: Brice Sensabaugh actually went off for 27, but it was hollow yardage in a game where Dallas shot the lights out.
What Really Happened With the Western Conference Standings
The West is a bloodbath this year. Despite that massive win, Dallas is still sitting at 12th in the conference. They’re chasing the Jazz (13th) and trying to keep pace with a middle-of-the-pack that refuses to lose.
While the Mavericks were resting on Friday, the rest of the league was busy. The Sacramento Kings beat the Wizards 128-115, and the Rockets took down the Timberwolves. These results actually make the Mavericks' upcoming schedule even more critical. They can't afford to let "good" wins like the one against Utah go to waste by dropping the ball in the rematch.
Looking Ahead: The Saturday Rematch
So, if you're checking for the score of who won the dallas mavericks game last night because you want to know what’s happening right now, keep your eyes on the 4:00 PM CST tip-off today, Saturday, January 17.
It's a rare "baseball-style" set where the Jazz stay in Dallas for a second straight game. Utah is definitely going to adjust. You can bet Will Hardy is showing his team film of every single one of those 144 points and demanding a defensive stand.
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If you're betting or just following along, watch the injury report. The status of Cooper Flagg's ankle is the biggest "maybe" in Dallas right now. If he’s out, the defensive burden falls entirely on P.J. Washington, who has been averaging about 7.4 rebounds but can't protect the rim like a true five.
How to Follow the Next Game
If you're in the Dallas market, the game is on KFAA. If you're a Jazz fan (or just a masochist), it's on KJZZ or Jazz+.
Basically, the Mavericks have a chance to build their first real winning streak of 2026. After a month of January that’s been mostly "meh," a sweep of this mini-series against Utah could be the spark. They head to New York to face the Knicks on Monday, so they really need to pack some momentum in their suitcases.
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the official NBA injury report two hours before today's 4:00 PM CST tip-off to see if Cooper Flagg is cleared to play. If he's in, expect a much tighter defensive game than Thursday's shootout. If he's out, the "Over" on the total points might be the smartest look, given how both teams have been scoring—and failing to stop anyone else from scoring—lately.