DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks have spent the past week knocking off some of the NBA’s best teams. Now comes a different kind of challenge: beating a team that hasn’t won a game.
Dallas welcomes the winless Sacramento Kings to American Airlines Center on Monday night, looking to extend its three-game winning streak and improve on an encouraging 4-2 start.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT, with the game televised locally on KFAA Channel 29 and available through MavsTV+.
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The Mavericks enter the matchup riding high after defeating Miami, Oklahoma City and Houston in consecutive games. Friday’s 116-111 victory over the Rockets featured another spectacular performance from second-year star Cooper Flagg, who scored 33 points, grabbed nine rebounds and dished out six assists.
Kyrie Irving was even better offensively, finishing with 35 points and nine assists as Dallas held off its Southwest Division rival.
But Monday’s opponent presents an entirely different challenge.
Sacramento enters at 0-6, the NBA’s only winless team, and has struggled mightily on the defensive end. The Kings have allowed at least 121 points in each of their six games, including an embarrassing 136-105 loss to Memphis on Saturday.
Still, overlooking Sacramento would be a mistake.
Rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. has emerged as one of the league’s most exciting young scorers, averaging 26.3 points and 6.3 assists.
The 19-year-old erupted for 38 points against Memphis, connecting on nine three-pointers and demonstrating why he’s becoming the centerpiece of Sacramento’s young backcourt.
That sets up an intriguing matchup between Acuff and Flagg, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year.
Flagg is averaging 26.8 points and has become an increasingly reliable offensive option alongside Irving.
Sacramento also features veteran scoring threats Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis.
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LaVine is averaging 23.5 points, while Sabonis has been dominant on the glass, pulling down a league-leading 15.8 rebounds per game.
Dallas must also monitor several injury concerns.
Irving is listed as questionable because of knee injury management, while Santi Aldama is doubtful with a knee issue. Dereck Lively II remains sidelined with a foot injury, and rookie Sergio de Larrea is unavailable because of a knee problem.
The Kings have their own injury concerns, with LaVine questionable and center Dylan Cardwell dealing with a calf injury.
For Mavericks coach Dusty May, the priority is maintaining the same intensity Dallas displayed against stronger competition.
The Mavericks defeated Oklahoma City 120-96 before edging Houston, showing encouraging progress on both ends of the floor.
But Sacramento’s record shouldn’t tempt Dallas into complacency.
The Kings have enough individual offensive talent to punish a team that fails to defend the perimeter or control the rebounding battle.
Monday also concludes a three-game Dallas homestand before the Mavericks travel to San Antonio on Wednesday.
At 4-2, the Mavericks have positioned themselves among the Western Conference’s early surprises.
Now they must demonstrate that their success isn’t limited to games against contenders.
Beating the teams they’re supposed to beat is the next step toward becoming one themselves.







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