The Dallas Mavericks kicked off their 2025-26 campaign against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday at the American Airlines Center, a thrashing by Victor Wembanyama and Co. Now that the ball is rolling it
got us looking ahead to the rest of the calendar for our annual tradition. Every season there is, inevitably, a handful of games that get you off your couch questioning God or planning a parade route. These are the Rage/Rejoice games of the season. The unexpected ones where the personal stakes are higher and the emotions are stronger. Here, the games that will make you rage. Shield yourself.
Nov 3: at Houston Rockets
Historically the Mavericks and their divisional rival Rockets are evenly matched head-to-head. Both franchises over time, and especially in recent history, have gone through drastic swings of success and upheaval. Now the Rockets have retooled their roster after a 2024-25 season that saw them reach 50 wins for the first time in six seasons, secure the Western Conference two-seed, but then lose in the first round to the Golden State Warriors.
Enter the very online Kevin Durant.
While expectations were considerably higher for Houston than Dallas entering the season, a Fred VanVleet injury in September has forced Rockets coach Ime Udoka to do something Jason Kidd has toyed with in the preseason: go ultra-big. In Houston’s season opening rock fight loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder they started a group with four, FOUR, players listed at 6’11 with a starting “point guard” in Amen Thompson at 6’7. It’s possible the Mavericks will not be too dissimilar in size. The question will be how big is too big, and who is shooting beyond 15 feet?
The in-state duel turns into a test of fan patience in a game that will either have 85 free throws, or a 83-75 final score. The Mavericks trying to navigate this transition season and run into a team out-bigging their big and send them back up the highway with questions while Alperen Sengun disposes of several front court defenders.
Dec 29: at Portland Trail Blazers
For whatever reason in Adam Silver’s America the Dallas Mavericks will be playing a game in Portland during the holiday dead period at 10 p.m. CT.
TEN POST MERIDIEM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME.
After playing a Christmas afternoon game against the Golden State Warriors, a Saturday afternoon game against the Sacramento Kings, the Mavericks will then play a game in what might as well be 2 AM. I don’t care that it’s part of a west coast road trip where the team will already be used to Pacific Standard Time. Logic doesn’t exist in the rage machine. I care about what I’m experiencing as a fan.
So it would track that in my jolly holiday spirit I’ll decide to stay up on a Monday night to watch my beloved Mavericks wrap up the west coast trip with a winnable game, only to set my eyes upon Blazers rookie Yang Hansen hit six threes to force a double overtime road loss to wrap up 2025. While a befitting ending to the Dallas Mavericks calendar year a devastating sight for my retinas and lack of sleep. TEN PM.
At least we’ll get to hear Roundball Rock on NBC.
Apr 10: at San Antonio Spurs
April feels like six years away, not six months. Depending on your appetite for optimism, the Mavericks could be sniffing the fringes of the postseason Play-in or a playoff spot. By this point Kyrie Irving could be a regular figure in the rotation.
Cooper Flagg is the odds-on favorite for Rookie of the Year to start the season, unsurprisingly. But NBA media loves drama. And if by this point the Mavericks have struggled to maintain footing while the San Antonio Spurs grow their young core around Victor Wembanyama, don’t be surprised if this game, game 81 for the Mavericks, becomes a talkshow talking point in the Rookie of the Year debate between Flagg and Spurs guard Dylan Harper.
I believe Flagg is the most ready-made rookie of this era and should have no trouble locking up the prize this season, especially given his expected role. But just before it becomes official the Mavericks drop this game, drop to 10th in the standings, and Stephen A. starts yelling about the “rEaL ROoKiE of the YEaR”.
