Controversy swirled surrounding the departure of Dallas Mavericks Jalen Brunson in 2022 when the star left to join the New York Knicks.
On Thursday night, Brunson will make his return to face his former team for the first time since the deal was struck. The Mavs alleged collusion by the Knicks in the deal, which resulted in penalties to New York including the loss of a second-round pick in 2025.
Unfortunately for the Mavs, Luka Doncic will not suit up on January 11. Doncic is dealing with an ankle sprain and will miss the opportunity to go up against his friend on the hardwood of America Airlines Center. The game is set to tip off at 7:30 CT.
The Mavs will continue to rely on stellar performance from Kyrie Irving, who the team has tabbed to be the star replacement for Brunson, alongside dominating play by Doncic this season. With Doncic out, the onus will be on Irving to hold firm in the backcourt, an area of his play that has been a focus this season.
The task will be a tall one, as the Knicks enter as the only remaining unbeaten team in the NBA since January 1 and are outscoring opponents by an average of 24 points early in the season. The Mavs swept New York in both match-ups for the first time since the 2015-16 season. Brunson was not available for those games while dealing with an injury.
The Mavericks are coming off a disappointing loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday after capturing three consecutive wins after the holidays. The Knicks enter as the odds-on favorites in the game, but stiff defense and attention to avoiding fouls could swing the outcome in Dallas’s favor.
The Mavs are reporting that Dante Exum is out with a foot injury, while Dereck Lively II (ankle) is doubtful and Grant Williams (ankle) is questionable. The Knicks will be without Mitchell Robinson, who is also dealing with an ongoing ankle injury.