DALLAS (Oct. 11, 2025) — After a quick trip to Fort Worth’s Dickies Arena for their preseason opener, the Dallas Mavericks are back at American Airlines Center on Saturday night for their second tune-up of the 2025–26 campaign — a home matchup with the Charlotte Hornets.
Dallas enters the contest fresh off a 106–89 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, while Charlotte is coming off a narrow six-point loss to those same Thunder on Thursday. And while preseason box scores don’t count for much, there’s plenty for Mavericks fans — and head coach Jason Kidd — to keep an eye on as the roster begins to take shape.
Dallas’ Offensive Flow Still a Work in Progress
The Mavericks topped 100 points in their first preseason outing, but the path there wasn’t exactly smooth. Dallas shot poorly from the field, relying heavily on Oklahoma City’s 16 turnovers to generate extra possessions and easy transition points.
Still, the Mavs’ dominance on the glass carried over from last season — they finished +15 in rebounding margin, something Kidd said will remain a “core identity” of the team going forward.
Saturday’s test against Charlotte will offer a different kind of challenge. The Hornets like to run in transition and push pace under coach Charles Lee, and that could force Dallas to focus on half-court execution — something Kidd and his staff have been emphasizing in training camp.
“We want to play with tempo,” Kidd said after practice Friday. “But tempo doesn’t mean rushing. It’s about getting into our sets quickly, reading the floor, and trusting the flow. That’s where we’re trying to grow.”
All eyes will be on Anthony Davis, who has been taking reps in some of the team’s new “flow” offensive concepts. His ability to operate as both a screener and facilitator could help unlock spacing for shooters like Josh Green and Grant Williams, while providing easier looks for rookie Cooper Flagg on the wing.
The question is whether Dallas can shoot efficiently enough to keep defenses honest. The Mavericks finished the opener at 41.7% from the field and 30.8% from three, and improving those numbers is a priority heading into Saturday’s tilt.
The Cooper Flagg Watch Continues
While most of the Mavericks’ veteran rotation pieces are known quantities, all eyes remain fixed on the No. 1 overall pick, Cooper Flagg, who impressed in his unofficial NBA debut. In just 14 minutes of action, Flagg posted 10 points and six rebounds, flashing the versatility and composure that made him the most hyped rookie to enter the league since Victor Wembanyama.
Saturday’s matchup offers another glimpse of how the 19-year-old will be used within Dallas’ system. Expect Kidd to experiment with Flagg in different offensive scenarios — both as a spot-up shooter in transition and a secondary playmaker in the half-court.
“He just has a natural feel for the game,” Kidd said earlier this week. “You can’t teach that. He sees plays develop before they happen. Now it’s just about reps — seeing the speed, reading defenses, and getting comfortable.”
This game also brings an intriguing subplot: Flagg will face his former Duke teammate Kon Kneuppel, now a rookie forward with the Hornets. The two formed one of college basketball’s most electric duos last season, and their first professional meeting — even in preseason form — will draw plenty of attention.
Keys to Watch
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Offensive Cohesion: Can Dallas create rhythm within its half-court sets, particularly when transition opportunities dry up?
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Perimeter Shooting: The Mavericks must find consistency from deep after an uneven start from long range.
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Rookie Development: How Flagg adapts defensively to Charlotte’s quick guards and switch-heavy lineups will be a telling sign of his early learning curve.
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Frontcourt Rotation: With Davis and Dereck Lively II splitting interior minutes, look for how the pair meshes on the boards and in rim protection.
Final Thoughts
Preseason or not, the Mavericks’ second outing of October offers another chance to build chemistry and sharpen identity before the season opener on October 22 against San Antonio.
Dallas has the star power, depth, and now a generational rookie talent in Cooper Flagg — but cohesion and shooting consistency will determine how high this team can climb.
If Friday’s crowd energy is any indicator, fans at American Airlines Center are eager to see what the next era of Mavericks basketball looks like — one that might just blend the old guard’s toughness with a new wave of promise.
Tipoff: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. CT
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
Broadcast: Bally Sports Southwest
