The Dallas Mavericks look very different now compared to the start of the season. They’re without the player many claimed would retire with the team, Luka Doncic, and now, teamed up with Kyrie Irving, is the injury-prone Anthony Davis.
The Mavericks, who made the NBA Finals in the previous season, were poised to return to the league’s biggest stage. Now, however, sitting at 10th in the West with a 39-43 record, they will have to fight their way into a playoff spot.
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The Sacramento Kings are also a very different-looking team compared to how the season started. Their star guard, De’Aaron Fox, is now a member of the San Antonio Spurs.
Along with Domantas Sabonis are two former Bulls, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine. Despite all of this firepower, the Kings inched into the Play-In with a 40-42 record, good enough for ninth in the West.
The question now remains, which team has the advantage over the other?
Mavericks vs. Kings: Season series
The Mavericks and Kings have played each other three times during the season. In their first matchup, which occurred in Sacramento on December 30, 2024, both teams looked different compared to now.
The Mavs had Doncic on the roster at this point, but were without him thanks to a calf strain. Dallas was also without Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson due to injury and the Kings took full advantage.
Fox went off for 33 points while Spencer Dinwiddie chipped in 30 and PJ Washington added 28. The Kings won the game 110-100.
The next matchup wasn’t until February 10, 2025, and this game occurred only a few days after the Doncic-Davis trade. For this battle, Irving was back and had a sensational game scoring 30 while collecting nine rebounds and seven assists.
Despite Irving’s impressive performance, the Mavericks fell short at home, losing 129-128 in overtime. DeRozan led the Kings, not only hitting the game-tying shot in the fourth quarter but also scoring an outstanding 42 points.
The final matchup took place on March 3 in Dallas. This game belonged to the Kings who had all five starters score in double figures.
Sacramento won the game 122-98 and swept the season series 3-0. It should be noted that Davis did not play in a single game between these two teams this year.
If Davis plays, the Mavs will have a chance to win, even if a small one. Dallas is still without Irving who is out for the season from a knee injury, and Thompson is listed as day to day with a foot injury.
As of now, Davis is listed day to day with a left adductor strain. With all of these concerns and how the season series went, it’s safe to say the Kings have the edge on winning the Play-In game on Wednesday.
