Will the Mavericks really miss the playoffs? Here’s why it’s not crazy

The Dallas Mavericks are 2-3 to start the NBA season, despite playing all five games at home. When is it The Mavericks drafted Cooper Flagg, they believed they had a gem that could help them get into the playoffs right away. While it can still happen, there have been ups and downs, and the struggles have led many to believe that The Mavs could miss the playoffs this season.

When you look at the underlying numbers, that may not be such an overreaction. According to the team ranking, Dallas ranks 30th in points per game. They also rank 25th in field goal percentage and 28th in three-point shooting percentage. Although they are ninth in rebounds per game, it did not help them, as they won only two of the first five games.

The season got off to a rough start when the San Antonio Spurs demolished the Mavs 125-92. Then the Mavs lost 117-107 to the modest Washington Wizards. Although they bounced back with a 139-129 win over the Toronto Raptors, they followed that up with a 101-94 loss to the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs won their last game, 107-105 over the Indiana Pacers.

The defense carried them, ranking 12th in opponents’ points per game and field goal percentage. Even so, here are three potential obstacles that could hurt them for the rest of the season and why they could miss the NBA playoffs.

When is it Mavericks lose Kyrie Irving to torn ACL many knew it would be a long time before he returned. When the 2025-26 NBA season began, the rough estimate was January. To soften the blow of Irving’s absence, the Mavs signed D’Angelo Russell with the idea that he would lead the scoring until Irving returned.

It didn’t go that way. Instead, the Mavs turned around and benched Flagg for the first five games. While he wasn’t terrible, his inexperience showed in the first few games of the season. Flagg is averaging 13.4 points per game while shooting just 41 percent from the field. Additionally, he’s already had some wild games, including five turnovers against the Wizards. Flagg could function as an elite point guard, but he’s not an option to replace Irving right now.

To no one’s surprise, Anthony Davis is already injured, something that was a constant problem when he played for the Los Angeles Lakers and last year with the Mavs. In the end, the Mavs putting all their faith in Davis staying on the floor was never a good idea. While they have three big men to alternate with him, they don’t have the playmakers to help them going forward.

Davis being out for an extended period of time could be devastating for a Mavericks team trying to find its footing. If he can’t play in the next game or even a week, it could hurt the Mavs’ chances of making a run. Having already played five games at home, the schedule will only be challenging when they hit the road for the first time.

Their division is more difficult this season

While divisions aren’t as important in the NBA as they once were, they are still very important, especially when you have to play division rivals four times a season. As the Mavs try to find their way, they find themselves in a division that is suddenly much tougher.

The The Houston Rockets signed Kevin Durant in the offseason and looks to be one of the more challenging teams in the NBA. meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama carried Spurs 5-0 to start and looking incredibly scary. Ja Morant and the Grizzlies continue win and are right behind Spurs in the table. Of course, the New Orleans Pelicans are still winless and are clearly rebuilding. But take out the Pelicans, and this is still a division to be reckoned with.

The Mavericks’ loss to the Spurs showed just how far apart the teams are in terms of competitiveness. Although many expected it to be an interesting game to start the season, the Spurs blew away the Mavs and showed why they are the better team in Texas. The Mavericks will face the Rockets for the first time this week in Houston, and the odds don’t look like they’re in Dallas. They will then head to Memphis to face the Grizzlies.

The saving grace for the Mavericks is that they don’t have to face the Spurs again until February. By then, Irving and Davis could be back. But will it be enough to qualify for the playoffs? The Mavs’ playoff hopes are certainly in question.