October 15, 2025 | Las Vegas, Nevada – Less than 24 hours after falling to the Phoenix Suns on the road, the Los Angeles Lakers are packing up and heading to the desert to face the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night at T-Mobile Arena. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. PT on ESPN and Spectrum SportsNet, as the Lakers look to grab their second win of the preseason while the Mavericks prepare to close theirs out on a high note. This matchup serves as a thrilling lakers vs mavericks preview for fans looking to see the teams in action ahead of the regular season.

Two Teams, Two Very Different Agendas

The Lakers’ preseason strategy has been centered around rest, recovery, and cautious management of their veteran-heavy roster. After Tuesday night’s 115–106 loss in Phoenix, Los Angeles enters Wednesday’s matchup with a 1–3 preseason record and a clear focus on avoiding unnecessary risk.

With Rui Hachimura, Jarred Vanderbilt, Gabe Vincent, and Jaxson Hayes all sitting out the previous game, head coach JJ Redick has made it clear that player health trumps preseason results. Add in the likely absences of LeBron James (sciatica), Chris Mañon (ankle), and Adou Thiero (knee), and the Lakers’ rotation will once again rely heavily on younger players and fringe roster hopefuls.

That said, there was a notable bright spot against Phoenix — the first in-game look at the Lakers’ new trio of Luka Dončić, Austin Reaves, and Deandre Ayton. When the three shared the floor, Los Angeles’ offense flowed smoothly, spacing improved, and defensive rotations looked sharp. While it’s unlikely they’ll log heavy minutes in Vegas, the short glimpse provided a glimpse of what’s to come once the regular season begins.

“We looked really good early,” Reaves said postgame Tuesday. “Obviously, we’ve still got work to do, but you can feel the chemistry starting to click.”

Mavericks Treating Vegas Like a Dress Rehearsal

While the Lakers manage bodies, the Dallas Mavericks are expected to approach Wednesday’s contest with playoff-level focus. With this being their final preseason game, head coach Jason Kidd intends to extend his starters’ minutes and simulate a regular-season environment.

The Mavericks, 2–1 so far in the preseason, are expected to roll with the same starting five that dominated the Utah Jazz in a 114–101 win: Dereck Lively II, Anthony Davis, PJ Washington, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg, and Klay Thompson. Kidd confirmed he plans to let his top unit play into the fourth quarter as they fine-tune rotations and conditioning before opening night.

“This is our final dress rehearsal,” Kidd said after practice. “We want to build rhythm, tighten up defensively, and make sure everyone’s ready to go when it counts.”

Davis, who logged limited minutes earlier in the preseason, is expected to surpass the 25-minute mark for the first time as Dallas continues to build around its new core. The chemistry between Davis and Flagg has been particularly intriguing — the rookie’s defensive instincts and unselfish play have blended seamlessly with the veteran’s leadership in the paint.

Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, has averaged 10.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.1 assists across three preseason games while shooting over 50% from the field. Though his numbers have been modest, his poise and defensive presence have earned high praise from teammates and analysts alike.

“Cooper doesn’t play like a rookie,” Thompson said. “He sees the floor, plays with confidence, and does the little things that win games.”

Matchup to Watch: Cooper Flagg vs. Deandre Ayton

If both players take the floor, one of the night’s most intriguing duels will come inside, where Flagg and Ayton are likely to battle on both ends. Ayton’s physicality and midrange touch contrast with Flagg’s length and defensive timing, providing an early preview of what could be a fascinating regular-season matchup down the line.

Expect Dallas to test Ayton’s defensive footwork through high screens and pick-and-roll action, while the Lakers will look to exploit Dallas’ perimeter rotations when the rookie slides to help inside.

Vegas Vibes and Final Tune-Ups

Preseason or not, Wednesday’s neutral-site matchup in Las Vegas is expected to draw a strong crowd. The NBA’s continued interest in bringing more games — and potentially an expansion team — to Vegas adds a layer of intrigue to this contest.

For Dallas, the goal is simple: execute, stay healthy, and enter the regular season with momentum. For Los Angeles, the mission is to fine-tune lineups and keep key players fresh ahead of their final preseason outing later this week.

Prediction

Given their contrasting approaches, expect the Mavericks’ continuity and depth to prevail. With Kidd letting his starters go deeper into the game and Davis anchoring the frontcourt, Dallas should control the tempo and pull away late.

Projected Final Score: Mavericks 115, Lakers 104.
Best Bet: Dallas –4.5 (if lines are posted).