Mavericks Show Promise, Growing Pains in First Three Games Under Dusty May

The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2026-27 NBA season with a new head coach, a returning veteran leader and a young roster looking to establish its identity.

Through their first three games, the Mavericks have experienced the challenges of building a winning culture while showing glimpses of what they could become under head coach Dusty May.

Kyrie Irving returned to regular-season action after an extended absence due to injury, Cooper Flagg opened his second season with a 32-point performance, and several younger players received opportunities to contribute as Dallas navigated a demanding opening schedule.

The Mavericks began the season with a 128-110 loss to the Houston Rockets, responded with a 121-105 victory over the Indiana Pacers and returned home Saturday night for a 122-106 loss to the San Antonio Spurs.

Dallas finished its opening stretch with a 1-2 record, giving May his first NBA victory while revealing areas the team must address.

Each game presented a different test, from Irving’s return against Houston to the team’s response in Indiana and Sergio de Larrea’s emergence during the home opener.

Game 1: Irving Returns as Mavericks Struggle Against Rockets

Wednesday, Oct. 21 | Houston Rockets 128, Dallas Mavericks 110 | Toyota Center

The Mavericks opened their regular season Wednesday night in Houston with Irving back in the lineup after an extended absence.

For Irving, the matchup marked an important moment in his return to regular-season basketball. For Dallas, it was the beginning of a new chapter under May.

The Mavericks and Rockets were already familiar with each other after traveling to Macau, China, earlier in October for two preseason games. Both teams split the exhibition series before returning to Texas for their regular-season opener.

Houston used that familiarity to make Irving a focal point of its defensive strategy.

The Rockets frequently sent double teams toward the veteran guard, forcing him to make quick decisions and rely on his teammates to create scoring opportunities.

“I got to do a better job of leading us out and just not necessarily playing so timid, and getting some shots up and aggressively attacking double teams,” Irving acknowledged.

Irving finished with 15 points on nine field-goal attempts in his first regular-season appearance back.

Despite the pressure, he appreciated the respect Houston showed him by continuing to make him a priority in its game plan.

“I take that respect very personally,” Irving said. “Although I’ve been out for a while, they still scout me.”

Although Irving had returned to the court during the preseason, he acknowledged that playing in a regular-season game brought a different set of emotions.

“The human element hit me,” Irving explained. “I’m back in an NBA game, and I’m getting double-teamed.”

The experience reminded Irving of the adjustments that come with returning to meaningful basketball after a lengthy absence.

“I had to settle in and ground myself,” Irving added. “I’m really back in an NBA game, back in the flow of things.”

May believed Irving handled Houston’s defensive attention appropriately by creating opportunities for his teammates.

“He’s obviously the focal point. They put two on the ball,” May said. “I thought he made the right plays and the right decisions.”

While Irving worked to regain his rhythm, the Mavericks struggled to keep pace with Houston.

Dallas remained competitive in the opening quarter before the Rockets took control with a dominant second period.

Houston outscored Dallas 38-12 in the second quarter, building a 70-38 halftime advantage. The Rockets disrupted the Mavericks’ offensive execution while taking advantage of defensive breakdowns and scoring opportunities in transition.

Flagg provided one of Dallas’ strongest performances, finishing with a team-high 32 points. Marcus Sasser added 17 points off the bench, but the Mavericks could not overcome Houston’s advantage.

Irving did not hold back when discussing the team’s defensive performance.

“It was just horrendous, man, to be honest with you.”

His frustration reflected the Mavericks’ inability to match Houston’s physicality. As the Rockets increased their pressure, Dallas struggled to maintain its composure and offensive organization.

May believed those problems extended beyond the season opener.

“We’ve really stressed since the preseason games that our physicality and quickness to the ball must improve,” May said.

The Mavericks’ inability to respond allowed Houston to extend its lead.

“We just didn’t hold our composure, and we let go of the rope as a group,” May added.

Flagg acknowledged that Dallas struggled to find answers once the Rockets established control.

“I would say we got stagnant. They obviously went on a run, and we just didn’t have any answers. We weren’t organized.”

Despite his scoring performance, Flagg recognized that he also needed to take greater responsibility as a leader.

“I could have done a better job of getting us set up, being vocal, being that leader and getting us into actions,” Flagg added.

Sasser believed Dallas allowed its offensive struggles to affect its defensive approach.

“I felt like we just let go of the rope a little bit, let our offense kind of determine our defense,” Sasser explained.

The loss exposed several weaknesses, particularly the Mavericks’ defensive communication, transition defense and ability to respond when opponents increased their intensity.

However, Irving’s return gave Dallas an important piece of its offense and leadership moving forward.

With Irving and Flagg beginning to develop their chemistry under May, the Mavericks had an opportunity to address those mistakes before traveling to Indianapolis.

Game 2: Mavericks Respond Against Pacers as May Earns First NBA Victory

Friday, Oct. 23 | Dallas Mavericks 121, Indiana Pacers 105 | Gainbridge Fieldhouse

The Mavericks arrived in Indianapolis with an opportunity to show that their performance against Houston would not define their season.

After reviewing the mistakes that contributed to their opening loss, Dallas responded with a level of intensity that had been missing two nights earlier.

The Mavericks scored 44 points in the first quarter and followed with 33 in the second, building a commanding 77-43 halftime lead.

Dallas secured a 121-105 victory, giving May his first regular-season win as an NBA head coach.

Irving led the Mavericks with 24 points, shooting 8 of 15 from the field and connecting on five of his 10 three-point attempts.

His offensive production improved considerably from the opener, when Houston’s defensive pressure limited him to nine field-goal attempts.

P.J. Washington Jr. recorded 20 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks, while Max Christie added 16 points.

Naji Marshall contributed 15 points and six assists. Flagg finished with 14 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals in 17 minutes.

Dallas recorded 28 assists and made 14 three-pointers, demonstrating the balanced offensive approach May hopes to establish.

For Irving, the response began before the Mavericks stepped onto the court.

Following the loss to Houston, the team reviewed film and addressed the defensive mistakes that contributed to the defeat.

“We took a lot of things personally,” Irving recalled of the film session.

Those conversations challenged players to hold themselves accountable and approach the next game with greater urgency.

Irving also recognized his responsibility as one of the team’s veteran leaders.

“I have to be better as a leader.”

Against Indiana, Irving attacked more aggressively while continuing to create opportunities for his teammates.

The Mavericks moved the basketball effectively, generated scoring chances in transition and received contributions throughout the rotation.

Irving believed the team’s willingness to follow the game plan without allowing frustration to affect its approach helped produce a different result.

“No excuses, no complaining,” Irving emphasized.

May praised the collective effort and the contributions that extended beyond the box score.

“I thought we had a great team effort,” May said. “Everyone who played made major contributions in terms of effort, intensity and the hidden plays that go into winning.”

Washington Jr. believed Dallas approached the matchup with the urgency necessary to compete consistently.

“We just played like we wanted it tonight, and that’s how we have to play the rest of the season,” Washington Jr. said.

The victory also reflected the accountability May has emphasized since taking over as head coach.

Irving described May as “very confrontational” when addressing mistakes and areas requiring improvement.

The veteran guard recognized the importance of having a coach willing to challenge his players as Dallas works to establish a winning culture.

Although Indiana outscored Dallas 62-44 in the second half, the Mavericks’ dominant first-half performance provided enough separation to secure the victory.

For May, the result marked an important milestone after making the transition to the NBA following a national championship at Michigan.

However, he was quick to direct attention away from himself.

“This isn’t about me.”

The victory came with a setback.

Flagg suffered a left shoulder injury following a flagrant foul by Indiana’s Aaron Nesmith late in the second quarter and did not return for the second half.

An MRI later revealed a mild left shoulder sprain, ruling Flagg out of Saturday’s home opener against San Antonio. The Mavericks announced that he would be reevaluated the following week.

Irving also discussed the challenges of recovering from a significant injury when speaking about Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton.

Having experienced his own rehabilitation process, Irving understood the physical and mental difficulties that accompany a lengthy recovery.

“You have to really trust that you’re not alone going through the journey,” Irving explained.

His perspective reflected the experience he has gained throughout his career while balancing his recovery with the responsibility of helping lead a younger roster.

Dallas would enter its home opener without Irving, who sat out the second game of the back-to-back for injury management, and Flagg, who was recovering from his shoulder injury.

Their absences placed greater responsibility on the Mavericks’ supporting cast and created opportunities for several younger players.

Game 3: De Larrea Shines as Shorthanded Mavericks Fall to Spurs in Home Opener

Saturday, Oct. 24 | San Antonio Spurs 122, Dallas Mavericks 106 | American Airlines Center

The Mavericks returned to American Airlines Center Saturday night facing another test.

Playing their second game in as many nights, Dallas entered its home opener without Irving and Flagg against a San Antonio team searching for its first victory of the season.

Despite the absences, the Mavericks remained competitive for three quarters before falling 122-106 to the Spurs.

San Antonio led 68-60 at halftime, but Dallas cut the deficit to three points entering the fourth quarter.

Sergio de Larrea took advantage of an expanded role, scoring a team-high 21 points and adding five rebounds and four assists in just over 33 minutes.

The young guard demonstrated his ability to create scoring opportunities, make decisions under pressure and contribute against a physical San Antonio backcourt.

May praised de Larrea’s performance and the progress he has made since joining the team.

“I thought he was great,” May said. “His defense is improving. I thought his on-ball defense got better, and he was chasing down long rebounds.”

May also pointed to de Larrea’s development throughout summer league, exhibition games and practices.

“He’s certainly earned more and more trust, and he’s played like this pretty consistently,” May added.

Daniel Gafford contributed 12 points and nine rebounds, while Washington Jr. and Sasser each scored 12 points.

Dallas found success attacking the basket and creating opportunities through ball movement, but San Antonio’s defensive pressure eventually became too much to overcome.

The Spurs outscored the Mavericks 30-17 in the fourth quarter, pulling away after Dallas had worked its way back into contention.

The Mavericks committed 18 turnovers, which San Antonio converted into 26 points.

“I thought we competed at a high level,” May said. “San Antonio’s ball pressure was ultimately the difference. They were able to knock a couple of balls loose and convert in transition. That fueled even more defensive pressure.”

Victor Wembanyama led San Antonio with 23 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. Dylan Harper added 22 points, while Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox scored 19 apiece.

Wembanyama believed the Spurs began taking control once they improved their decision-making and limited mistakes.

“I would say it was when we stopped turning the ball over and started getting good shots on every possession,” Wembanyama explained. “Sometimes we’ll make them, sometimes we won’t, but at least we’re ready for the defensive transition.”

Harper also credited San Antonio’s defensive effort for helping the team pull away.

“Defense was the biggest thing for us,” Harper said. “After that timeout, coming together and playing for each other was the biggest thing.”

While turnovers played a significant role in the loss, May believed the Mavericks’ demanding schedule also contributed to their late-game struggles.

“I was proud of our guys’ effort,” May added. “As a staff, we thought we competed at a high level. We made it very interesting and ultimately felt like we probably ran out of gas late.”

Gafford acknowledged the challenge of playing on consecutive nights without two of the team’s primary offensive contributors.

“I’m pretty sure everybody felt the weight of the world with our main two guys out.”

However, he also saw value in the experience gained by players taking on unfamiliar responsibilities.

“There were a lot of guys in positions where they were uncomfortable, but that’s good for us,” Gafford explained.

One of those players was de Larrea, whose composure against San Antonio’s defensive pressure impressed the veteran center.

“His poise and his understanding of the game are improving night in and night out,” Gafford added. “They showed him a little pressure, but I feel like he responded the right way.”

The two also connected on an alley-oop, offering a glimpse of the chemistry they are developing.

“It feels good that we’re building that chemistry,” Gafford continued. “Down the stretch, especially throughout the season, it’s going to be plays like that, and it’s going to be bread and butter for us.”

De Larrea’s performance also drew praise from the opposing locker room.

Spurs forward Carter Bryant complimented the young guard’s ability to remain composed and make the right decisions.

“Sergio’s good,” Bryant said. “He showed a lot of touch and a great feel for the game. He did a hell of a job tonight, making the right reads and the right plays.”

Bryant also recognized the importance of the opportunities created by Dallas’ injuries.

“When you get those opportunities, you want to dominate them and give yourself an opportunity to play more when the whole lineup is there,” Bryant added.

For de Larrea, the performance was a reflection of his preparation and the confidence he has developed within the Mavericks’ system.

“Today was me, probably, but other days it’s other guys,” de Larrea said. “I think that’s what makes this team special.”

He also acknowledged that his development remains a work in progress, particularly his defensive rotations and preparation for opposing players.

“I’ve been working every day for this moment, and I think today was a result of that work,” de Larrea added.

The guard also spoke about his growing chemistry with Morez Johnson Jr., another young player expected to contribute to Dallas’ future.

“He’s doing all the dirty work,” de Larrea explained. “It probably doesn’t show in the stats, but it’s amazing to play with him, and I’m very happy to have him.”

Gafford also praised Johnson Jr.’s development through his first three NBA games.

“Tonight, I feel like he had his first test, and he responded very well to it,” Gafford said.

San Antonio head coach Mitch Johnson acknowledged the Mavericks’ effort and the direction of their young roster.

“They played great. They kicked our butt for a good amount of the game,” Johnson said. “I think they’re playing the right way. They’ve got a brand-new basketball team, and it feels like they’re establishing their own identity.”

Wembanyama also spoke positively about Zaccharie Risacher’s opportunity with Dallas.

“For me, the situation he’s in today is ideal,” Wembanyama said. “I think it’s a good project and a great franchise. From what I can see, he looks like he’s having fun. That’s the most important thing.”

Spurs rookie Tarris Reed Jr. was equally impressed by the Mavericks’ young talent, particularly Johnson Jr. and de Larrea.

“They were hooping, man,” Reed said. “Having a guy like [Morez Johnson Jr.], who’s young, and Sergio, who had 21 points today, shows their poise. This is one of the best rookie classes we’ve had in a while.”

Although the Mavericks could not secure a victory in their home opener, the performances of de Larrea and other young players provided encouraging signs about the team’s depth.

The Spurs improved to 1-2, leaving both teams with identical records after their first three games.

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks’ opening three games have shown both the potential of their roster and the challenges that remain.

Irving’s return gives Dallas an experienced offensive leader, while Flagg continues to develop into one of the team’s most important players. The victory over Indiana demonstrated what the Mavericks can accomplish when they execute their game plan, and de Larrea’s performance against San Antonio showed the value of their younger talent.

However, the losses to Houston and San Antonio exposed weaknesses that could become costly if left unaddressed.

Defensive breakdowns, turnovers and inconsistent execution have prevented Dallas from sustaining its strongest stretches of basketball.

For May, the opening week provided an early look at the adjustments required to turn individual talent into consistent team success.

With a new coaching staff and a roster still working toward full health, the Mavericks have shown they can compete, but maintaining that level of play will be the challenge moving forward.

The Mavericks will continue their season Monday, Oct. 26, when they travel to Miami to face the Heat at Kaseya Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT. Dallas will look to bounce back from its home-opening loss and earn its second victory of the season before returning to American Airlines Center on Wednesday to face the Oklahoma City Thunder.