Preview: Mavericks to Host Spurs in Highly Anticipated Season Tip-Off
Preview of Mavericks vs. Spurs season opener: key storylines and what to watch as Dallas looks to start strong against San Antonio.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs open the 2024-25 NBA season Thursday night at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks, coming off a trip to the NBA Finals, have heightened expectations with their revamped roster, while the Spurs are looking to showcase growth and competitiveness with the help of their young core and veteran leadership.
DALLAS (50-32 in 2023-24): The Mavericks start the season with high hopes of returning to the NBA Finals and winning the championship. Led by the star backcourt duo of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, Dallas added sharpshooter Klay Thompson in the offseason, providing a new dynamic to their offense.
Dončić, who missed the preseason with a calf injury, is set to play. This will mark the first time Dallas' "Big Three" will share the floor in a regular-season game. Dallas head coach Jason Kidd is optimistic about the team’s health and depth entering the season.
“Everybody feels great and is excited about this marathon,” Kidd said. “We’re in a good seat. We’re healthy, we’re deep, and now we have to become a team.”
Dante Exum is the lone Maverick sidelined, recovering from wrist surgery. Dončić, Irving, Thompson, and P.J. Washington are expected to start, with Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II in contention for the center spot.
SAN ANTONIO (22-60 in 2023-24): The Spurs enter the season opener with optimism. After finishing 22-60 for the second consecutive year, San Antonio has added veterans Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes to help guide their young roster, which features rising star Victor Wembanyama.
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