The Dallas Mavericks will face a tough challenge in the 2026 NBA Cup. They were drawn into West Group A with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, and Utah Jazz. The NBA Cup's group play games will start on Oct. 30 and run through Nov. 27.
What happened?
The Mavericks are hoping to make some positive progress in this year's in-season tournament. Dallas placed fourth in West Group B in last year's NBA Cup. Their recent form has been inconsistent, with a record of 1W-0D-2L in their last three games, including a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks 137-107 on 2025-03-06.
Why it matters for Dallas Mavericks
The NBA Cup provides an opportunity for the Mavericks to test themselves against top teams. They will need to improve their performance to compete with the likes of the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns. The tournament will also give them a chance to work on their strategy and make adjustments before the playoffs.
What comes next?
The knockout rounds will begin with the quarterfinals, which will be held from Dec. 4-5. The semifinals will then take place on either Dec. 8 and/or Dec. 9. The championship game will be held on Dec. 11 at Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Mavericks will need to focus on their defense, which has been a concern in recent games. They will also need to work on their offense, which has been inconsistent. With the right strategy and mindset, they can make a deep run in the tournament.
| Team | Group |
|---|---|
| Dallas Mavericks | West Group A |
| Denver Nuggets | West Group A |
| Houston Rockets | West Group A |
| Phoenix Suns | West Group A |
| Utah Jazz | West Group A |
The Mavericks' recent results have been: | Date | Opponent | Score | | --- | --- | --- | | 2025-03-06 | Milwaukee Bucks | 107-137 |
They will look to bounce back from their recent losses and make a strong run in the NBA Cup.