Dallas Mavericks facts for kids

The Dallas Mavericks (often called the Mavs) are a professional basketball team from Dallas, Texas. They play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as part of the Western Conference's Southwest Division. The team plays its home games at the American Airlines Center, which they share with the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars.

Quick facts for kids Dallas Mavericks
Conference	Western
Division	Southwest
Founded	1980
History	Dallas Mavericks 1980–present
Arena	American Airlines Center
Location	Dallas, Texas
Team colors	Royal blue, silver, black
Main sponsor	Chime
CEO	Cynt Marshall
General manager	Nico Harrison
Head coach	Jason Kidd
Ownership	Patrick Dumont (69%) Mark Cuban (27%, oversight of basketball operations) Mary Stanton (4%)
Affiliation(s)	Texas Legends
Championships	1 (2011)
Conference titles	3 (2006, 2011, 2024)
Division titles	5 (1987, 2007, 2010, 2021, 2024)
Retired numbers	4 (12, 15, 22, 41)
Association Icon Statement

In the 1980s, the Mavericks were a strong playoff team. They were led by All-Stars like Rolando Blackman and Mark Aguirre. The team had a tough time in the 1990s and had to rebuild. In 1998, things changed when they got Dirk Nowitzki. He became the most important player during the team's best years. Nowitzki led the Mavs to their first NBA Finals in 2006. He also led them to their only NBA championship in 2011.

After Nowitzki's long career, the Mavericks went through another rebuilding period. They missed the playoffs for three years in a row (2017-2019). Nowitzki retired after playing a record 21 seasons with Dallas. But the team quickly got better when they acquired Luka Dončić. He was named the 2019 Rookie of the Year. The Mavericks returned to the playoffs in 2020. They reached the Western Conference finals in 2022. This was their first time since their 2011 championship. They also made it to their third NBA Finals in 2024.

In February 2020, the Mavericks sold out their 815th straight game. This streak started on December 15, 2001. It includes 67 playoff games. This is the longest current sellout streak in major North American sports.

Since their first season in 1980–81, the Mavericks have won five division titles. They also have three conference championships and one NBA championship.

History of the Dallas Mavericks

How the Mavericks Started (1978–1981)

In 1978, a businessman named Garn Eckardt wanted to bring an NBA team to Dallas. He met a lawyer named Doug Adkins. Adkins suggested his client, Don Carter, who became interested. At the same time, Norm Sonju, a general manager for the Buffalo Braves, also wanted to bring the NBA to Dallas. Sonju and Carter tried to buy existing teams but decided to aim for a new expansion team.

The league was not sure about adding a team in Dallas at first. Many teams were losing money. But during the 1979 NBA All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien announced two new teams for the 1980–81 NBA season. Dallas was one of them. The expansion fee was set at $12.5 million. Don Carter paid half of this amount.

At the 1980 NBA All-Star Game, the league owners voted to accept the new team. Fans chose the name "Mavericks" from a TV western show. James Garner, who starred in the show, was part of the team's owners. The team joined the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. Dick Motta, who had won an NBA Championship with the Washington Bullets, became the team's first head coach.

The Mavs picked Kiki VanDeWeghe in the 1980 NBA draft. But VanDeWeghe did not want to play for the new team. He was traded to the Denver Nuggets in 1981. In return, the Mavs got future draft picks. These picks later became Rolando Blackman and Sam Vincent.

In their first game, the Mavericks beat the Spurs 103–92. This game was played in the new Reunion Arena. The Mavs finished their first season with a 15–67 record. However, they signed a player named Brad Davis. He would play for the Mavericks for 12 years. His number 15 jersey was later retired. The Mavericks also had good fan attendance in their first season.

The 1981 NBA draft brought three important players to the team. The Mavs selected Mark Aguirre first, Rolando Blackman ninth, and Jay Vincent twenty-fourth. Jay Vincent led the team in scoring in their second season. The Mavericks improved their record to 28–54.

Becoming Playoff Contenders (1982–1990)

In 1982–83, the Mavericks started to become serious contenders. They had a 38–44 record, which was a big improvement. Mark Aguirre led the team in scoring. Brad Davis was among the league leaders in assists. The Mavs drafted Derek Harper in the 1983 NBA draft. He would play for the team for ten years.

In 1983–84, the Mavericks had their first winning record (43–39). They also made the playoffs for the first time. Mark Aguirre became the team's first NBA All-Star. Dallas won their first playoff series against the Seattle SuperSonics. They then lost to the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavs also drafted Sam Perkins in 1984.

The 1984–85 team finished 44–38. Mark Aguirre led the team in scoring again. Rolando Blackman played in the 1985 NBA All-Star Game. The Mavs returned to the playoffs but lost in the first round.

In the 1985 NBA draft, Dallas drafted Detlef Schrempf. They also traded for center James Donaldson. Donaldson became the first Mavericks center to be an NBA All-Star in 1988.

The 1985–86 Mavericks were second in scoring in the league. They made their third straight playoff appearance. They beat Utah in the first round. They then lost to the Lakers in six games. The Mavs drafted Roy Tarpley in 1986.

The 1986–87 Mavericks had their best regular season yet, with a 55–27 record. They won their first Midwest Division title. However, they lost in the playoffs earlier than expected. After this, coach Dick Motta resigned. John MacLeod was hired as the new head coach.

The 1987–88 NBA season was another successful year. The Mavericks finished 53–29. Mark Aguirre and James Donaldson played in the 1988 NBA All-Star Game. The Mavericks had a franchise-best 11-game winning streak. Roy Tarpley won the NBA Sixth Man Award. The Mavs had their deepest playoff run, reaching the Western Conference finals. They faced the defending champion Lakers and lost in seven close games.

The Mavericks continued to compete, but injuries hurt the team. In 1989–90, coach John MacLeod was fired and replaced by Richie Adubato. The Mavs made the playoffs with a 47–35 record. However, they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in three games. This was their last winning season and playoff appearance until 2001.

Rebuilding the Team (1990–1998)

A Difficult Period (1990–1994)

The early 1990s were tough for the Mavericks. Key players left or got injured. The team finished with a 28–54 record in 1990–91. In 1991–92, the team's record got even worse, finishing 22–60. Brad Davis had to retire due to injuries.

In 1992–93, the rebuilding truly began. The Mavs traded Rolando Blackman, who was the team's all-time leading scorer, to the New York Knicks. The Mavericks drafted Jim Jackson in 1992. However, he missed half of his rookie season due to contract issues. The team started 2–27 and fired coach Adubato. They finished the season 11–71, which was the second-worst record in NBA history at the time.

Dallas drafted Jamal Mashburn in the 1993 NBA draft. Quinn Buckner was hired as head coach. The team struggled under Buckner's strict style, starting 1–23. They finished 13–69, again the worst record in the league. Buckner was fired after one season. The Mavericks brought back their first coach, Dick Motta. They also drafted Jason Kidd in the 1994 NBA draft. Kidd, Jackson, and Mashburn became known as "The Three Js."

Jason Kidd Arrives (1994–1996)

The addition of Jason Kidd brought new energy to the Mavericks in 1994–95. Kidd led the league in triple-doubles. Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn were a high-scoring duo. The team improved significantly, finishing 36–46. This was the biggest one-year improvement in team history.

However, the 1995–96 was a disappointment. Jamal Mashburn had season-ending surgery. Jason Kidd and Jim Jackson had disagreements. Kidd became the first Maverick to be an All-Star starter. The team finished 26–56. Dick Motta was replaced by Jim Cleamons. Don Carter, the team's only owner, sold the team to a group led by H. Ross Perot, Jr..

Michael Finley Joins the Team (1996–1998)

The 1996–97 was a year of big changes. The Mavericks traded Jason Kidd to the Phoenix Suns. In return, they got Michael Finley, Sam Cassell, and A.C. Green. Finley became a key player, averaging around 20 points for many years. He also made two All-Star Games.

Don Nelson was hired as Dallas' general manager in February. He made more trades, including sending Jamal Mashburn to the Miami Heat. The Mavericks also acquired 7-foot-6 center Shawn Bradley. These trades were made to improve the team's chemistry. The team finished 24–58. In 1997–98, the team had a 20–62 record. Midway through that season, Nelson became the head coach himself.

The Dirk Nowitzki Era (1998–2019)

New Beginnings with Nowitzki and Nash (1998–2001)

In the shortened 1998–99 season, the Mavericks finished 19–31. However, they acquired power forward Dirk Nowitzki and point guard Steve Nash. These moves would greatly impact the team's future. In the next season, the team started winning consistently. They had their first 40-win season since 1989–90. Nowitzki became a strong offensive player.

On January 14, 2000, Mark Cuban bought the Dallas Mavericks for $285 million. Cuban wanted to make the Mavericks more popular. He quickly became a fan favorite.

In 2000–01, the Mavericks improved to a 53–29 record. Nowitzki, Finley, and Nash led the offense. The team made trades to bring in new players. They also signed Wang Zhizhi, the first Chinese player in the NBA. Nowitzki was named to the All-NBA Third Team. The Mavs made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. They won their first-round series against the Utah Jazz. They then lost to the San Antonio Spurs. This season was also the last at the old Reunion Arena before moving to the American Airlines Center.

The "Run-and-Gun" Style (2001–2005)

The 2001–02 season was great for the Mavericks, with a 57–25 record. They also changed their logo and colors to blue and silver, similar to the Dallas Cowboys. The team made a big trade, acquiring Raef LaFrentz, Nick Van Exel, and Avery Johnson. The Mavericks swept the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2002 playoffs. But they lost in the second round to the Sacramento Kings.

In the 2002–03 season, the Mavericks started with a 14–0 record. They finished the regular season with a 60–22 record. They had a strong offense with Nowitzki, Finley, and Nash. They reached the Western Conference finals against the San Antonio Spurs. However, Dirk Nowitzki got a knee injury in Game 3 and missed games. The Spurs won the series in 6 games.

In 2003–04, the Mavericks made more trades, bringing in players like Antawn Jamison and Antoine Walker. The team struggled with chemistry but made the playoffs. They were known as the NBA's best offensive team. However, they lost in the first round of the 2004 playoffs to the Sacramento Kings.

The 2004–05 season saw more new players join the team, including Erick Dampier, Jason Terry, and Jerry Stackhouse. They lost All-Star Steve Nash, but the new players improved the team's defense. On March 19, coach Don Nelson stepped down. His assistant, Avery Johnson, took over. Under Johnson, the Mavericks' defense got stronger. They finished with a 58–24 record. They beat the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2005 playoffs. But they then lost to the Phoenix Suns, led by former Maverick Steve Nash.

First NBA Finals Appearance (2005–2006)

The Mavericks had a strong season in 2005–06. They finished with a 60–22 record. Avery Johnson won the NBA Coach of the Year award. They swept the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2006 playoffs. Then, they had a tough series against the San Antonio Spurs. The Mavs won in seven games, with Dirk Nowitzki leading the way. They advanced to the conference finals against former teammate Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. The Mavs' defense helped them win the series in six games. This sent the Mavericks to their first NBA Finals in team history.

In the NBA Finals, the Mavericks played the Miami Heat. Dallas won the first two games at home. However, the Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, won the next four games. The Mavericks lost the series and the championship. Many fans were shocked. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban was fined for his actions during the series.

Nowitzki Wins MVP (2006–2007)

After the Finals loss, the Mavericks wanted to do better. They started the season 0–4 but then went on a great run. They finished the regular season with a 67–15 record. This was tied for the sixth-best record in NBA history. Dirk Nowitzki had an amazing season and was named the NBA Most Valuable Player. Josh Howard was also named to the All-Star team.

However, the first-place Mavericks were defeated in six games by the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors. This was one of the biggest upsets in NBA history. The Warriors were coached by Don Nelson, the Mavericks' former coach.

Jason Kidd Returns (2007–2008)

The Mavericks traded Devin Harris and draft picks to the New Jersey Nets. In return, they got veteran All-Star Jason Kidd. The Mavericks finished the season with a 51–31 record. They made the playoffs for the eighth straight year. However, they were eliminated by the New Orleans Hornets in the first round.

After the season, Avery Johnson was dismissed as head coach. On May 9, 2008, Rick Carlisle was hired as the new head coach.

Playoff Struggles (2008–2010)

The Mavericks started the 2008–09 season slowly but finished 50–32. They earned the sixth spot in the Western Conference playoffs. They surprised many by beating the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. This was their first time advancing past the first round since 2006.

They then faced the Denver Nuggets in the semi-finals. The Nuggets won the first two games. Game 3 was very close, and the Nuggets won by one point. The Mavericks lost the series in five games.

Before the 2009–10 season, the Mavericks re-signed Jason Kidd. They also traded for All-Star Shawn Marion. These moves were meant to make the team younger and deeper. The Mavericks started the season well, beating many strong teams.

Before the trade deadline, the Mavericks traded Josh Howard for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, and Deshawn Stevenson. This trade was seen as a good move for the team. The Mavericks played very well after the All-Star break. They routed the New York Knicks by 50 points, their largest win ever at the time. On April 10, they clinched the Southwest division title. They finished the season with a 55–27 record, earning the second seed in the Western Conference.

However, the Mavericks lost to the San Antonio Spurs in six games in the first round of the playoffs. This led to more questions about the team's future.

Championship Season (2010–2011)

After another early playoff exit, the Mavericks re-signed Dirk Nowitzki to a four-year contract. They also acquired centers Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinça. This trade was seen as very good for the Mavericks.

The 2010–11 season started strong, with the Mavericks winning 24 of their first 29 games. However, Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler both suffered knee injuries. Nowitzki returned after missing nine games. The team's defense improved greatly, thanks to Tyson Chandler. The Mavericks finished with a 57–25 record, earning the third seed. Many predicted they would lose in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Mavs won the first two games against Portland. But they then lost Game 4 after blowing a 23-point lead. The Mavericks responded by winning the next two games to win the series. They then faced the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks shocked everyone by sweeping the Lakers in four games. Jason Terry set an NBA playoff record with nine three-pointers in Game 4.

The Mavericks then met the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference finals. Dirk Nowitzki scored 48 points in Game 1. The Mavericks won the series in five games, claiming their second Western Conference Championship. They would face the Miami Heat, the team that defeated them in the 2006 NBA Finals.

The Mavericks were seen as underdogs in the 2011 NBA Finals. Miami had their "Big Three" of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh. Miami won Game 1. In Game 2, the Mavericks made a huge comeback, scoring 22 of the last 27 points to win. The series was tied 1–1. Dallas lost Game 3. But they showed their toughness again, winning Game 4 to tie the series at two. In Game 5, the Mavericks won 112–103, putting them one game away from their first NBA title.

Three nights later, the Mavericks won their first NBA title with a 105–95 victory. Nowitzki scored 21 points, and Terry had 27 points off the bench. Nowitzki was very emotional after the game. He won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player award. This championship ended the Mavericks' playoff struggles.

After the Championship (2011–2013)

The 2011–12 season was shorter due to a lockout. The Mavericks raised their first championship banner on Christmas Day. They lost their rematch against the Heat. The Mavericks let several key players from the championship team go. They acquired Lamar Odom and signed veterans Vince Carter and Delonte West.

The Mavericks started the season 0–3. They finished with a 36–30 record, their lowest since 2007–08. Nowitzki had lower scoring numbers. Odom did not fit well with the team.

In the 2012 NBA playoffs, the Mavericks faced the Oklahoma City Thunder again. The Thunder won the first two close games. The Mavericks lost Game 3. In Game 4, the Thunder rallied to win 103–97, eliminating the defending champions. This was the first time Dallas was swept in a seven-game series.

In the 2012 off-season, the Mavericks lost Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. They acquired Darren Collison and signed O. J. Mayo. They also added former All-Stars Chris Kaman and Elton Brand.

The 2012–13 season was difficult. Nowitzki missed 29 games due to knee surgery. The team struggled with injuries and new players. The Mavericks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

Back to the Playoffs (2013–2016)

In the 2013 off-season, the Mavericks signed José Calderón and Monta Ellis. They finished the 2013–14 season 49–33. They faced their rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, in the first round of the playoffs. The Mavericks won Game 3 with a buzzer-beater by Vince Carter. The series went to seven games. The Spurs won Game 7, ending the Mavericks' season.

In the 2014 off-season, the Mavericks traded for Tyson Chandler and Raymond Felton. Nowitzki re-signed with the team for less money. This helped Dallas sign Chandler Parsons. They also re-signed Devin Harris.

On November 13, 2014, the Mavericks had their largest victory ever, beating the Philadelphia 76ers by 53 points. On December 18, 2014, the Mavericks traded for Rajon Rondo.

On April 28, 2015, the Mavericks lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round of the playoffs. They finished the season 50–32. On April 25, 2016, the Mavericks were again knocked out in the first round, this time by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Luka Dončić Arrives (2016–2019)

The Mavericks missed the playoffs in the 2016–17 season. This was only the second time in 17 years. They finished with a losing record for the first time since 1999–2000.

In the 2017 NBA draft, Dallas selected Dennis Smith Jr.. The team had another tough season in 2017–18, finishing 24–58. This was their worst season since 1997–98.

In the 2018 NBA draft, Dallas traded for Luka Dončić. He was drafted third by the Atlanta Hawks. Coach Rick Carlisle called Dončić a "franchise foundation piece." The Mavericks finished the season 33–49 and missed the playoffs. Dončić won NBA Rookie of the Year. Nowitzki announced his retirement after his 21st season.

The Luka Dončić Era (2019–present)

Return to Playoff Contention (2019–2021)

On January 31, 2019, the Mavericks traded Dennis Smith Jr. and others for Kristaps Porziņģis, Tim Hardaway Jr., and others. The Mavericks started the 2019–20 season with a 15–6 record. Luka Dončić was averaging nearly a triple-double and became an MVP candidate. He led the Mavericks to have the best offense in the league. Dončić made his first NBA All-Star Game as a starter.

After the NBA season was paused, the Mavericks were invited to the NBA Bubble. They clinched a playoff spot, their first since 2016. Dončić was a finalist for the NBA Most Improved Player Award. In the first round, the Mavericks lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in six games. Dončić had amazing performances. He was later selected to the All-NBA First Team.

The 2020–21 season saw many players miss games due to COVID-19 rules. Kristaps Porziņģis also missed games due to surgery. Despite this, Dallas improved their record to 42–30. They clinched the Southwest division title. However, the Mavericks lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round again, this time in seven games.

Jason Kidd's Second Time with the Mavs (2021–2023)

After the season, longtime head coach Rick Carlisle resigned. Donnie Nelson, the general manager, also left the team. Both were part of the 2011 championship team.

On June 28, 2021, Jason Kidd, who played on the 2011 championship team, was hired as head coach. This was Kidd's third time involved with the Mavericks.

Under Kidd, the Mavericks finished the 2021–22 season with a 52–30 record. They won their first playoff series since 2011, beating the Utah Jazz. They then faced the Phoenix Suns, who had the best record in the league. The Mavericks were down 3–2 in the series. Luka Dončić famously said, "Everybody acts tough when they're up." The Mavericks won the next two games, including a huge 33-point win in Game 7. They advanced to their first Western Conference finals since 2011. Jalen Brunson also played very well in these playoffs. The Mavericks eventually lost to the Golden State Warriors in five games.

In the 2022 NBA draft, the Mavericks traded for center Christian Wood. They also drafted Jaden Hardy. The Mavericks hoped to improve in the 2022–23 season. They traded for star guard Kyrie Irving at the 2023 trade deadline. However, the team did not play well together and failed to make the playoffs.

Return to NBA Finals (2023–2024)

In the 2023 NBA draft, the Mavericks traded for Dereck Lively II. They also selected Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Before the February 8, 2024, trade deadline, the Mavericks traded for P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford.

The Mavericks finished the 2023–2024 regular season as Southwest Division champions. They were the 5th seed in the West with a 50–32 record. They faced the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2024 NBA playoffs. The Mavs won the series 4–2, getting revenge for past playoff losses. They then eliminated the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. This sent them to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years. In the Western Conference Finals, the Mavericks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games. They won their third Western Conference title.

The Mavericks then faced the Boston Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals. This was their first NBA Finals appearance since their 2011 victory. The Mavericks lost the series in five games. Their one win was a big 122–84 victory, which was the third-largest blowout in NBA Finals history.

The Big 3: Dončić, Irving, Thompson (2024–present)

On July 6, 2024, Klay Thompson was traded to the Mavericks. The Mavericks also traded Tim Hardaway Jr. for Quentin Grimes. They also acquired Naji Marshall, Melvin Ajinça, and Spencer Dinwiddie.

Team Uniforms

1980–2001 h

1980–81 a

1981–1992 a

1992–2001 a

2003–04 t

2001–2010 a

When the Mavericks started in 1980–81, their road uniforms were royal blue with green and white. A year later, green became the main road color until 1992. From 1980 to 2001, the home white uniforms had "Mavericks" in blue. The 1980s green road jerseys were brought back for the Mavericks' 25th anniversary in 2004–05.

In the 2001–02 NBA season, the Mavericks changed their logos and uniforms. They used new colors: midnight blue, royal blue, and silver, similar to the Dallas Cowboys. The new uniforms had "Dallas" written across the chest.

In the 2003–04 NBA season, the Mavericks tried shiny silver alternate uniforms. These were not popular and were only worn once. In the 2004–05 NBA season, they introduced an alternate green uniform. This uniform was designed by rapper Sean "P. Diddy" Combs.

On September 21, 2009, the Mavericks showed a new alternate royal blue uniform. This uniform was also used for the NBA's "Noche Latina" (Latin Night) events, with the words "Los Mavs."

In 2017, Nike became the uniform supplier. The uniforms were named "Icon" (royal blue), "Association" (white), and "Statement" (navy blue). For the "City" uniforms, the Mavericks wore black with neon green trim in 2017–18. Later "City" uniforms included a graffiti-inspired "MAVS" and a white uniform with gold and silver, inspired by the Pegasus symbol of Dallas.

Before the 2019–20 season, the navy "Statement" uniforms were redesigned. They now had the full team name "Mavericks" on the front. The 2021–22 "City" uniforms celebrated the NBA's 75th anniversary. They featured elements from past uniforms, including green stripes and a modified cowboy hat logo.

The 2022–23 "City" uniform had retro-style white letters with green trim on a blue base. For the 2023–24 "City" uniform, the Mavericks worked with musician Leon Bridges. These black uniforms with Western-style letters honored American rhythm and blues history.

Head Coaches

The Mavericks franchise has had nine head coaches. Dick Motta was the first coach and served for two different times. He coached the most regular season games (738). Don Nelson coached the most regular season wins (339). Avery Johnson coached the most playoff games (47) and wins (23). He also has the highest winning percentage in the regular season (.735). Johnson was the first coach to win the Western Conference championship in 2006. He also won the NBA Coach of the Year Award in 2005–06.

Rick Carlisle was the head coach from 2008 to 2021. He led the team to their first championship in 2011. In 2015, he became the winningest coach in franchise history. Currently, the head coach is Jason Kidd. In 2022, Kidd led the Mavericks to their first playoff series win since the 2011 championship season, which he won as a player.

Team Rivalries

Miami Heat

The Mavericks and Heat have a rivalry because they played each other in the NBA Finals twice.

• In the 2006 NBA Finals, the Mavericks were favored to win. They won the first two games. But the Heat came back to win the next four games and the championship.
• In the 2011 NBA Finals, the Heat were favored to win. But the Mavericks won four of the next five games after losing Game 1. They upset the Heat and won their first NBA title.

San Antonio Spurs

The Mavericks-Spurs rivalry is very strong. Both teams are from Texas. The Spurs started as the Dallas Chaparrals before moving to San Antonio. The Mavericks won their first NBA game against the Spurs in 1980. The teams have met many times in the playoffs:

• The Spurs beat the Mavericks in 2001, 2003, 2010, and 2014.
• The Mavericks beat the Spurs in 2006 and 2009.

This rivalry is known as the "I-35 rivalry" because both cities are on Interstate 35.

In the 2003 Western Conference finals, both teams had 60-win seasons. The Mavericks lost to the Spurs in six games. In 2005, Avery Johnson, a former Spurs player, became the Mavericks' coach. Michael Finley, a former Maverick, joined the Spurs.

In the 2006 playoffs, the two rivals met again. The series was very close. The Mavericks won a dramatic Game 3 by one point. Game 4 went to overtime, with Dallas winning. The Spurs won Game 5. Jason Terry was suspended for Game 6. The Spurs won Game 6, forcing a Game 7. In Game 7, Dirk Nowitzki forced overtime with a three-point play. The Mavericks won in overtime, 119–111. They went on to the NBA Finals.

In 2007, the Mavericks lost to the Golden State Warriors in a big upset. The Spurs went on to win the 2007 NBA Championship.

In the 2009 NBA playoffs, the Mavericks beat the Spurs in the first round. In 2010, the Spurs defeated the Mavericks in six games in the first round. In 2011, the Mavericks won the NBA Finals.

In the 2013–14 season, the Spurs swept the Mavericks in the regular season. They met again in the 2014 NBA playoffs. The Mavericks won Game 3 with a buzzer-beater by Vince Carter. The series went to seven games, but the Spurs won Game 7.

Phoenix Suns

The rivalry with the Phoenix Suns grew when former Mavericks point guard Steve Nash signed with the Suns in 2004. Nash helped the Suns become a top team.

• In the 2005 Western Conference Semifinals, the Suns won Game 1. But Dirk Nowitzki hit a game-winning shot in Game 2. The Suns eventually won the series in six games.
• In the 2006 Western Conference finals, the Mavericks faced the Suns again. The Mavs won the series in six games, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring 50 points in Game 5. Dallas then went to the NBA Finals.

On March 14, 2007, the Suns beat the Mavericks in a double-overtime thriller. Steve Nash scored 10 straight points late in the game. On April 10, 2013, the Mavericks' 12-season playoff streak ended with a loss to the Suns.

From 2016–17 to 2021–22, the Suns dominated the rivalry, winning 17 out of 21 games. However, in the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals, the Mavericks and Suns met again. The Suns were heavily favored and went up 2–0. But the Mavericks came back and won the series in a huge 123–90 Game 7 victory on the Suns' home court.

Houston Rockets

This is another Texas rivalry, with both cities linked by I-45. The rivalry started when the Mavericks joined the NBA.

• In the playoffs, the Mavericks defeated the Rockets in 1988 and 2005.
• The Rockets swept the Mavericks in several regular season series in the 1990s.
• On April 11, 1995, the Mavericks beat the Rockets 156–147 in double overtime.
• In the 2010s, the rivalry became more intense. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey had disagreements on social media.
• In the 2015 NBA playoffs, the Rockets defeated the Mavericks 4–1 in the first round.

Los Angeles Lakers

The rivalry between the Lakers and Mavericks began in the 1980s.

• In the 1984 NBA playoffs, the Lakers beat the Mavericks in the Western Conference Semi-finals.
• In 1986, the Lakers won again in the semi-finals.
• In the 1988 NBA playoffs, the Lakers defeated the Mavericks in a seven-game series in the Western Conference finals. The Lakers went on to win the NBA Finals.
• In 2011, the Mavericks met the two-time defending champion Lakers in the semi-finals. The Mavericks swept them in four games and went on to win the NBA Finals. In that series, there were some intense moments and ejections.

Season Records

Here are the last five seasons for the Mavericks:

Season	GP	W	L	W–L%	Finish	Playoffs
2019–20	75	43	32	.573	2nd, Southwest	Lost in first round, 2–4 (Clippers)
2020–21	72	42	30	.583	1st, Southwest	Lost in first round, 3–4 (Clippers)
2021–22	82	52	30	.634	2nd, Southwest	Lost in conference finals, 1–4 (Warriors)
2022–23	82	38	44	.463	3rd, Southwest	Did not qualify
2023–24	82	50	32	.610	1st, Southwest	Lost in NBA Finals, 1–4 (Celtics)

Home Arenas

• Reunion Arena (1980–2001)
• American Airlines Center (2001–present)

Team Personnel

Current Roster

Retired Numbers

Dallas Mavericks retired numbers
No.	Player	Position	Tenure	Date
12	Derek Harper	G	1983–1994 1996–1997	January 7, 2018
15	Brad Davis	G	1980–1992	November 14, 1992
22	Rolando Blackman	G	1981–1992	March 11, 2004
41	Dirk Nowitzki	F/C	1998–2019	January 5, 2022

• The NBA retired Bill Russell's No. 6 for all its teams on August 11, 2022.

Basketball Hall of Famers

Dallas Mavericks Hall of Famers
Players
No.	Name	Position	Tenure	Inducted
2	Alex English	F	1990–1991	1997
4	Adrian Dantley	F/G	1989–1990	2008
2 5	Jason Kidd	G	1994–1996 2008–2012	2018
13	Steve Nash	G	1998–2004	2018
10	Tim Hardaway	G	2001–2002	2022
41	Dirk Nowitzki	F/C	1998–2019	2023
25	Vince Carter	G/F	2011–2014	2024
Coaches
Name		Position	Tenure	Inducted
Don Nelson		Head coach	1997–2005	2012
Contributors
Name		Position	Tenure	Inducted
Del Harris		Assistant coach	2000–2007	2022

FIBA Hall of Famers

Dallas Mavericks Hall of Famers
Players
No.	Name	Position	Tenure	Inducted
17	Antoine Rigaudeau	G	2003	2015
13	Steve Nash	G	1998–2004	2020
32	Detlef Schrempf	F	1985–1989	2021

Individual Awards

NBA All-Star Selections

The following Mavericks players were chosen for the NBA All-Star Game:

• Mark Aguirre – 1984, 1987, 1988
• Rolando Blackman – 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990
• James Donaldson – 1988
• Jason Kidd – 1996, 2010
• Chris Gatling – 1997
• Michael Finley – 2000, 2001
• Steve Nash – 2002, 2003
• Dirk Nowitzki – 2002–2012, 2014, 2015, 2019
• Josh Howard – 2007
• Luka Dončić – 2020–2023

List of NBA All-Star Game head coaches

• Don Nelson – 2002
• Avery Johnson – 2006

Ownership and Management

Mark Cuban bought a majority share of the Mavericks for $285 million in 2000.

On December 27, 2023, Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont bought a 69% majority share of the team. The team was valued at $3.8 billion to $3.9 billion. Cuban kept 27% ownership and still oversees basketball operations. Dumont became the team's governor on the NBA Board of Governors. The Adelson and Dumont families now have the final say on business and basketball decisions.

Cuban's nearly 23 years as owner was the longest and most successful in team history. During his time, the Mavericks had a record of 1,152 wins and 782 losses. They made the playoffs 18 times and won the 2011 NBA championship.

Images for kids

• 

  Mark Aguirre played with the Mavericks from 1981 to 1989.

• 

  Shawn Bradley played nine seasons with Dallas and is second all-time in blocked shots.

• 

  Jason Terry played eight years with the Mavericks, including their first two NBA Finals appearances.

See also

In Spanish: Dallas Mavericks para niños