The Dallas Mavericks schedule was recently released for the 2022-23 season. With training camp still more than a month away, this is the perfect time to check back and find all the fun matchups for the year ahead – some of the obvious, and hopefully not-so-obvious, games you’ll want to pay a visit to. to the American Airlines Center for.
Oct. 30: vs. Orlando Magic
There will be plenty of fireworks the weekend before when the Mavericks host the Memphis Grizzlies for their home opener, but welcoming this summer’s No. 1 pick to the league should be a fun visit to the AAC. Paolo Banchero was, in some ways, a surprise first pick, and he joins a young, athletic Magic team that is still trying to find the footing of him.
This falls on the second night in a row at home (Oklahoma City Thunder the night before) and you should be able to snag a cheap ticket to this Sunday night game that’s worth the price of admission – a look at the top newest pick on the draft, a landslide win by the Mavericks and maybe even a fight between Luka Doncic and Mo Wagner.
December 5 — vs. Phoenix Suns
The Mavericks begin their season in Phoenix, their first visit since the epic Game 7 blowout they managed Devin Booker & Co. Expect a fiery Suns team tonight, mixed with a falsely dramatic storyline of him and Chris Paul getting redemption. .
Instead, head downtown to welcome the Suns to Dallas in December, their first visit to the AAC this season. Historically, the Mavericks haven’t played well against the Suns in the regular season. I don’t think these teams are at the point of having any sort of long-term rivalry, but if the Mavericks can start racking up regular-season wins on top of last year’s postseason performance, it could be a fun game to attend.
December 27: vs. New York Knicks
Just two days after the Mavericks take on LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Christmas Day, Luka Doncic will welcome his old friend Jalen Brunson to Dallas. The teams will have already met in New York (December 3) and this will be the former Mavericks guard’s only visit to the AAC, barring a finals series between the two teams.
I’m not entirely sure what the temperature of the game will be. Brunson was a fan favorite and I hope he gets a warm welcome. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he came back to prove a point either. Either way, friendly or not, I expect both Doncic and Brunson’s competitive spirit to drive this game.
January 24: vs. Washington Wizards
Most days I forget that the Kristaps Porzingis trade wasn’t that long ago. I’m not sure there’s much rivalry or animosity between Porzingis and Dallas. But the surprising mid-season move is still fresh enough to be worth playing in person. I mean… if Porzingis can play, I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it, I’m sorry.
February 13: vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
I don’t normally suggest going to games right before the All-Star break. Teams are often on their last legs trying to get some rest before the final stretch of the season. But this is also the only time the revamped Timberwolves visit Dallas.
At first glance, the Timberwolves last season were a very fun, young, athletic, feisty team. And this summer they really tried and traded for Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert. Depending on his views on Gobert and his pairing with Karl-Anthony Towns (I’m out on both), then he could be looking for a fringe contender. Even if you’re out of them, this should be a fun matchup between two teams fighting for legitimacy, and you get a chance to see the emotion of Anthony Edwards in person.
