Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki autographs a shirt for a young fan during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
The weather was idyllic. The air was filled with hope and the excited squeals of 3,000 kids. Best of all was the setting.
For the first time in their 46-year history, the Mavericks took their season tipoff celebration to the people of Dallas. Specifically, Oak Cliff. More precisely, Halperin Park, the five-acre esplanade that spans I-35, opening earlier this year.
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving signs autographs for children during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Former Dallas Mavericks player Tyson Chandler autographs a shirt during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Former Dallas Mavericks players Michael Finley and Eduardo Nájera high-five fans during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Families walk around during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Children play basketball during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
The park was created to bridge the social, economic and highway divide of historic Oak Cliff, though on Monday afternoon it also felt like the Mavericks organization was connecting with an often-marginalized segment of fans — including many kids who probably have only seen them on TV.
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“You can see the hope in the kids and families here today,” said April Allen, president and CEO of the Southern Gateway Public Green Foundation, which oversees the Halperin Park project.
Allen, an Oak Cliff resident of more than two decades, spoke to the throng during a ceremony that preceded the main event: Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki leading several franchise greats onto a stage, then Mavericks P.A. announcer Sean Heath introducing every Maverick player one-by-one.
Mavericks TV personalities Jeff Wade, Mark Followill and Dana Larson led the ceremony, which included interviews with team president Masai Ujiri, coach Dusty May and several players — and team CEO Rick Welts presenting a $50,000 grant to Halperin Park from the Mavs Foundation.
Dallas Mavericks President Masai Ujiri speaks during a panel discussion during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
“The Dallas Mavericks came to you right here in Oak Cliff,” Allen emphasized to the crowd. “Not across town. Not on TV. Not online. Right here where all of us live.
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“Thank you, Dallas Mavericks, for choosing Halperin Park and for being part of the hope, healing and celebration that’s happening here.”
Ordinarily, the Mavericks tip off the season with a luncheon with corporate sponsors and longtime season ticket holders, but Welts said second-year Mavericks business operations president Ethan Casson about four months ago challenged the franchise’s leadership to do something different.
“Something that embraces the whole community,” as Welts put it.
After the ceremony, Casson gazed around the park and noted the joyful 3,000 kids — in kindergarten through sixth grade, most of them from Dallas ISD — and their families, soaking in the experience, afternoon sun and enjoying free food and beverages from food trucks.
Children participate in basketball drills during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
“This is just the beginning,” Casson said. “This is a celebration we plan to bring to different, special communities throughout Dallas year after year.
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“It might take a different feel, but in the end, the way in which we’ve structured it, showing up as an organization, that will be something that will be forever linked with the Mavericks.”
Speaking of forever, Ujiri during his remarks to the crowd singled out and thanked Nowitzki — not only for coming Monday, but especially the example he set for this generation of the Mavericks organization.
“We’re gonna win in Dallas and we’re gonna win big,” Ujiri said. “And we’re gonna prepare for it well.”
A young fan reacts after trying to block the shot of former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki as he sits on the shoulder of former Mav Eduardo Nájera during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News
Nowitzki was part of 21 season-opening events as a Maverick, but none like Monday’s. His presence, wearing a Mavericks-logo polo shirt, seemed extra significant, after several years of estrangement in the wake of the Luka Doncic trade.
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It was noted to Nowitzki that during his remarks to the crowd, star Kyrie Irving, 34, thanked fans and emphasized how embraced he has felt by the community since his 2023 arrival.
“Cool kickoff to hopefully a fun season, with Kyrie coming back, which will be amazing,” Nowitzki said. “To see how many fans and kids, he’s so beloved, such a great player, such a magician with the ball.
“Hopefully it adds a lot to the team and it’ll be a super-fun season for the fans and community, the support I’m proud of. We’ll see where the Mavs will land.”
Dallas Mavericks forward P.J. Washington, forward Cooper Flagg and guard Kyrie Irving thank fans during the Dallas Mavericks 2026 Community Tip-off at Halperin Park on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, in Dallas.
Elías Valverde II/The Dallas Morning News