The Dallas Mavericks are set to take on Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers early in the 2025-26 season, as the two teams are scheduled to match up in a preseason game in Las Vegas.
On Monday, Los Angeles took to social media to announce the schedule for four preseason games against the Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Sacramento Kings.
Lakers preseason hoops coming soon 🗓️@Delta x #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/ppiHGnZVJQ
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) June 2, 2025
This game between the two teams is scheduled to take place on October 15 at 7 p.m. in the T-Mobile Arena. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning on June 6.
Matchups between the Lakers and Mavericks have become some of the most discussed in the league following the controversial trade to send Dončić to Los Angeles. The Lakers won both of the previous games to end last season.
Neither the Lakers nor the Mavericks finished the season on high notes. Los Angeles was eliminated from the playoffs in the first round, while the Mavericks failed to make the playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the Mavericks are set to enter an incredibly important offseason as they gear up for the 2025-26 season.
The Mavericks committed to winning in the short term with the acquisition of Anthony Davis from the Lakers, though a stroke of luck has also seemingly set the franchise up for the long term.
Dallas won the NBA Draft Lottery and was awarded the top overall selection in the upcoming draft, with many expecting Duke forward Cooper Flagg to lead the organization into the future.
However, Dallas will also be without guard Kyrie Irving for the majority of the 2025-26 regular season, meaning the team must find another piece to help fill that void.
Luckily, the Mavericks will have ample time to evaluate potential offseason acquisitions outside of the NBA Draft, as the NBA free agency period is not scheduled to begin until July 6.
Dallas will likely pursue a variety of guards who can help fill the hole left by Irving, with potential options including Tyus Jones, Dennis Schröder, and D’Angelo Russell.