The Dallas Mavericks are about to play their 12th home game of the season, and it’s just game 17 of the year. The amount of home games they’ve played so far this year is a little crazy, which makes it even crazier that they’re just 4-12.
They’re hosting the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, a team they’ve already lost one game to this season. And the Pelicans just got Zion Williamson back from an eight-game absence. They didn’t even have him in the first matchup and still beat the Mavs.
Cooper Flagg missed his first career game on Wednesday night against the New York Knicks, a heartbreaking 113-11 loss, as he was downgraded due to an illness. He’s also been dealing with a thumb injury, but the illness is what kept him out. For Friday’s game against the Pelicans, he’s been upgraded to available, so he’ll return from his one-game absence unless he catches another illness.
Flagg has been much better since they finally took him away from playing point guard. Even if the Mavs’ point guard rotation is arguably the worst in the NBA, Flagg is just much more comfortable on the wing. Since November 5th, he’s averaging 17.3 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 3.4 APG while shooting above 50% from the floor.
Nov 17, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dribbles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
READ MORE: NBA makes announcement about controversial ending in Mavericks-Knicks
Full Mavericks-Pelicans Injury Report
The Dallas Mavericks will be without Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Kyrie Irving (left ACL surgery recovery), Dante Exum (right knee injury management), and Ryan Nembhard (left knee sprain). Caleb Martin also missed Wednesday’s game with an illness, but it seems like he’ll be back, sadly.
Davis is set to be re-evaluated either this weekend or soon after, and as much as they would like to have him out there to rebuild his trade value, they have to make sure he’s healthy and in shape first. Mark Cuban may deny that they’re going to trade him, but the way to read between the lines for that is that they’re not going to give him away for nothing.
Dallas announced on Thursday that Dante Exum will have season-ending knee surgery after a complication from a procedure over the offseason, adding yet another disaster to Nico Harrison’s resume. Exum was only signed once they waived and stretched Olivier-Maxence Prosper. And Exum won’t play a game on this contract, as sad as that is to say.
For New Orleans, they’ll be without Karlo Matkovic (right calf strain), Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), and Jordan Poole (left calf strain).
READ MORE: Mavericks deliver tough season-ending update on failed Nico Harrison signing
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