Dallas Mavericks facts for kids

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, navy, silver, black
Main sponsor	Chime
CEO	Rick Welts
General manager	Nico Harrison
Head coach	Jason Kidd
Ownership	Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont (69%) Mark Cuban (27%) 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

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 Southwest Division in the Western Conference. Their home games are held at the American Airlines Center, which they share with the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars.

The Mavericks have had many exciting moments. They were a strong playoff team in the 1980s with stars like Rolando Blackman and Mark Aguirre. After a tough period in the 1990s, everything changed in 1998 when they got Dirk Nowitzki. He became the team's biggest star, leading them to their first NBA Finals in 2006 and their only NBA championship in 2011.

Later, the team started fresh again with Luka Dončić. The Mavs returned to the playoffs in 2020 and reached the Western Conference finals in 2022. They made it to their third NBA Finals in 2024. In February 2025, the Mavericks traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis.

Since their first season in 1980–81, the Mavericks have won five division titles, three conference championships, and one NBA championship in 2011.

Team History: From the Start to Today

How the Mavs Began (1978–1981)

The idea for the Dallas Mavericks started in 1978. Businessman Garn Eckardt wanted to bring an NBA team to Dallas. He met with lawyer Doug Adkins, who introduced him to Don Carter. Carter became very interested in owning a team.

Around the same time, Norm Sonju, who worked for the Buffalo Braves, also wanted to bring the NBA to Dallas. Sonju and Carter eventually decided to try for a new expansion team. The NBA was hesitant at first because many teams were losing money. But during the 1979 NBA All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner Larry O'Brien announced that Dallas would get a new team for the 1980–81 season.

Fans helped choose the team's name. They sent in 4,600 postcards, and "Mavericks" won! The name came from a popular TV show called Maverick. James Garner, who played the main character on the show, was even part of the team's ownership group. 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 coach.

The Mavs picked Kiki VanDeWeghe in the 1980 NBA draft, but he didn't want to play for a new team. He was traded, and in return, the Mavs later got Rolando Blackman and Sam Vincent.

In their very first game at the new Reunion Arena, the Mavericks beat the San Antonio Spurs 103–92. They finished their first season with a 15–67 record. However, they made an important addition by signing Brad Davis. He played for the Mavericks for twelve years, and his number 15 jersey was later retired.

The 1981 NBA Draft brought three key players: Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, and Jay Vincent. Vincent led the team in scoring in their second season, helping the Mavs improve to a 28–54 record.

Becoming Playoff Contenders (1982–1990)

By the 1982–83 season, the Mavericks were much better. They finished with a 38–44 record, a big improvement. Mark Aguirre was a top scorer, and Brad Davis was great at assists. In the 1983 NBA draft, the Mavs picked Derek Harper, who would play for them for ten years.

The 1983–84 season was a big one! The Mavericks had their first winning record (43–39) and made the playoffs for the first time. Mark Aguirre became the team's first NBA All-Star. In the playoffs, they beat the Seattle SuperSonics in five games. They then faced the Magic Johnson-led Los Angeles Lakers and lost, but it was a great first playoff run. They also drafted Sam Perkins, who became a strong player for them.

The Mavericks continued to improve, finishing 44–38 in 1984–85. Mark Aguirre led the team in scoring again, and Rolando Blackman became an All-Star. They made the playoffs but lost in the first round.

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

Rolando Blackman was an All-Star again in 1986 when Dallas hosted the game. The Mavs made the playoffs for the third straight year, beating Utah before losing to the Lakers. They drafted Roy Tarpley, a very talented player.

The 1986–87 season was their best regular season yet, with a 55–27 record and their first Midwest Division title. However, they lost in the first round of the playoffs. Coach Dick Motta resigned, and John MacLeod took over.

The 1987–88 season was another strong year, with a 53–29 record. Mark Aguirre and James Donaldson were All-Stars. The Mavs had an 11-game winning streak. They made their deepest playoff run, reaching the Western Conference Finals. They pushed the defending champion Lakers to seven games but ultimately lost.

The team faced challenges in the 1988–89 season with injuries and finished with a losing record. In 1989–90, they returned to the playoffs with a 47–35 record. Coach MacLeod was replaced by Richie Adubato. They lost in the first round to the Portland Trail Blazers. This was their last winning season and playoff appearance until 2001.

Rebuilding the Team (1990–1998)

Tough Times (1990–1994)

The early 1990s were difficult for the Mavericks. Key players left or got injured. In 1991–92, the team finished with a 22–60 record.

In 1992–93, the team started a major rebuilding process. They traded Rolando Blackman, who was their all-time leading scorer. The Mavs drafted Jim Jackson in 1992, but he missed half his rookie season due to contract issues. The team struggled, finishing 11–71, one of the worst records in NBA history. Coach Adubato was fired and replaced by Gar Heard.

In 1993, the Mavs drafted Jamal Mashburn. Quinn Buckner became the new coach, but his strict style didn't work well with the young team. They finished 13–69. Buckner was fired, and Dick Motta returned as head coach. The Mavs then drafted Jason Kidd in 1994, forming "The Three Js" with Jackson and Mashburn.

The Arrival of Jason Kidd (1994–1996)

Jason Kidd brought new energy to the Mavericks in 1994–95. He was great at triple-doubles (getting double-digits in points, rebounds, and assists). Roy Tarpley also returned and played well. Jim Jackson and Jamal Mashburn were a high-scoring duo. The team improved significantly, finishing 36–46.

However, the 1995–96 season was disappointing. Roy Tarpley was banned from the NBA again. Jamal Mashburn had season-ending surgery. Jason Kidd and Jim Jackson had disagreements. Kidd became an All-Star starter and was second in the league in assists. The team finished 26–56. Dick Motta was replaced by Jim Cleamons, and owner Don Carter sold the team to a group led by H. Ross Perot, Jr..

The Arrival of Michael Finley (1996–1998)

The 1996–97 season was a time of big changes. The Mavericks traded Jason Kidd to the Phoenix Suns for Michael Finley, Sam Cassell, and A.C. Green. Finley became a key player, averaging around twenty points per game for many years and making two All-Star appearances.

Don Nelson was hired as the general manager in February 1997. More trades happened, including sending Jamal Mashburn to the Miami Heat. Later, in a big trade, the Mavericks acquired 7-foot-6 center Shawn Bradley. Nelson said these changes were needed to improve the team.

The constant changes made it hard for the team to play well together, and they finished 24–58. In 1997–98, they 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 1998–99 season, the Mavericks had a 19–31 record. But this season was important because they acquired power forward Dirk Nowitzki and point guard Steve Nash. These two players would become huge stars for the team. In the 1999–2000 season, the team started winning more consistently, led by Michael Finley and the rising star Nowitzki.

On January 14, 2000, Mark Cuban bought the Dallas Mavericks for $285 million. Cuban quickly worked to make the team more popular. His energetic personality and willingness to speak his mind made him a fan favorite.

In 2000–01, the Mavericks improved even more, finishing with a 53–29 record. Nowitzki, Finley, and Nash formed a powerful offensive trio. The team made the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. They won their first-round series against the Utah Jazz, advancing to the second round for the first time since 1988. Although they lost to the San Antonio Spurs, it gave fans hope for future championships. This was also the last season at Reunion Arena before the team moved to the American Airlines Center.

"Run-and-Gun" Style (2001–2005)

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

In the 2002–03 season, the Mavericks started incredibly strong with a 14–0 record. They finished the regular season 60–22, known for their amazing offense. Nowitzki, Finley, and Nash led the team to the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. However, Dirk Nowitzki got a knee injury in Game 3, which hurt the team's chances. The Spurs won the series in 6 games.

In 2003–04, the Mavericks made more big trades, bringing in players like Antawn Jamison and Antoine Walker. The team still had a great offense but struggled with defense. They lost in the first round of the 2004 playoffs to the Sacramento Kings.

For the 2004–05 season, the Mavericks made changes to improve their defense. They acquired center Erick Dampier and guard Jason Terry. Losing All-Star Steve Nash was tough, but the new players made the team stronger defensively. Coach Don Nelson stepped down, and his assistant Avery Johnson took over. Under Johnson, the Mavericks' defense got much better. They finished 58–24 and made the playoffs. They beat the Houston Rockets in 7 games but then lost to the Phoenix Suns, led by former Mavs star Steve Nash.

First NBA Finals Appearance (2005–2006)

Before the 2005–06 season, veteran guard Michael Finley was waived. The Mavericks had a historic season, finishing with a 60–22 record. This was tied for the sixth-best record of all time in the NBA. Avery Johnson won the NBA Coach of the Year award. Dirk Nowitzki had an amazing season, showing he was one of the best players in the game.

In the 2006 playoffs, they swept the Memphis Grizzlies. Then, they faced their rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, in a thrilling series. Five of the seven games were decided in the final minute, and the Mavs won Game 7 in overtime. This victory sent them to the Western Conference Finals against former teammate Steve Nash and the Phoenix Suns. The Mavs' strong defense helped them win the series in 6 games, sending them to their first NBA Finals in team history!

In the NBA Finals, the Mavericks played the Miami Heat. Dallas won the first two games convincingly. However, the Heat, led by Dwyane Wade, made a huge comeback. They won the next four games in a row, winning the championship. This was a very tough loss for the Mavericks and their fans.

Nowitzki Wins MVP (2006–2007)

After the Finals loss, the Mavericks were determined to do better. They started the 2006–07 season 0–4 but then went on an incredible run, winning 52 of their next 57 games. They finished the regular season with a fantastic 67–15 record, the best in the league. Dirk Nowitzki had a dominant season and was named the NBA MVP! Josh Howard also made the All-Star team.

However, in one of the biggest upsets in NBA history, the top-seeded Mavericks lost in the first round of the 2007 playoffs to the eighth-seeded Golden State Warriors. The Warriors were coached by Don Nelson, the Mavericks' former coach. This loss was very surprising, especially after Nowitzki won the MVP award.

The Return of Jason Kidd (2007–2008)

The Mavericks made a big trade, sending Devin Harris to the New Jersey Nets for veteran All-Star Jason Kidd. The team finished the season with a 51–31 record, marking their eighth straight season with 50 or more wins. In the first round of the playoffs, they were eliminated by the New Orleans Hornets.

After the season, Coach Avery Johnson was replaced by Rick Carlisle on May 9, 2008.

Playoff Challenges (2008–2010)

In 2008–09, the Mavericks had a slow start but finished strong with a 50–32 record, making the playoffs for the ninth straight year. They surprised many by beating their rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, in the first round, advancing to the Conference Semi-finals.

They then faced the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets won the first two games. In Game 3, the Mavericks lost a very close game with a controversial foul call. The Nuggets won the series 4–1.

After this loss, the Mavericks made more changes. They re-signed Jason Kidd and traded for All-Star Shawn Marion. They also added other veteran players. These moves helped the team. In January 2010, the Mavericks had a huge 128–78 win over the New York Knicks, their third-largest win ever. They finished the 2009–10 season with a 55–27 record, earning the second seed in the Western Conference. However, they lost to the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs in six games.

Championship Season! (2010–2011)

After another early playoff exit, the Mavericks focused on keeping Dirk Nowitzki. They re-signed him to a four-year contract. They also acquired centers Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinça. Many experts thought this trade was great for the Mavs, as Chandler became a key defensive player.

The 2010–11 season started well, with the Mavs winning 24 of their first 29 games. However, Dirk Nowitzki and Caron Butler both got injured. Despite this, Nowitzki returned quickly, and the team focused on defense, led by Tyson Chandler. They finished with a 57–25 record.

In the playoffs, many predicted the Mavs would struggle. They faced the Portland Trail Blazers and won the first two games. After losing Game 3 and blowing a big lead in Game 4, they won the next two games to win the series. Next, they faced the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Mavericks shocked everyone by sweeping the Lakers 4–0! Jason Terry set a 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 Mavs won the series in five games, claiming their second Western Conference Championship. This set up a rematch in the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, the team that beat them in 2006.

The Mavericks were considered underdogs in the 2011 NBA Finals because the Heat had their "Big Three" stars. Miami won Game 1. But in Game 2, the Mavericks made a huge comeback, scoring 22 points to Miami's 5 in the final minutes to win! The series went back and forth, with Dallas showing great determination. In Game 5, the Mavs won 112–103, putting them one win away from the title. Three nights later, the Mavericks won their first-ever NBA championship with a 105–95 victory! Dirk Nowitzki scored 21 points, and Jason Terry had 27 points off the bench. Nowitzki was so emotional he went to the locker room before the game ended but returned for the trophy presentation. He won the NBA Finals MVP award, proving the Mavericks were a strong, championship-winning team.

After the Championship (2011–2013)

The 2011–12 season was shorter due to a lockout. The Mavericks raised their championship banner on Christmas Day before playing the Heat. However, they lost that game and struggled to maintain their championship form. They finished with a 36–30 record and were eliminated in the first round of the 2012 playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder, getting swept 4–0. This was the first time Dallas was swept in a seven-game series.

In the 2012 off-season, the Mavericks lost key players like Jason Kidd and Jason Terry. They acquired Darren Collison and O. J. Mayo. The 2012–13 season was tough, as Dirk Nowitzki missed many games due to knee surgery. The Mavericks missed the playoffs for the first time since 2000.

Back to the Playoffs (2013–2016)

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

In the 2014 off-season, the Mavericks traded for Tyson Chandler again. Dirk Nowitzki took a lower salary to help the team 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. They later traded for Rajon Rondo. In the 2015 playoffs, they lost to the Houston Rockets in the first round. In 2016, they were again knocked out in the first round by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Lottery Return and Luka Dončić Arrives (2016–2019)

The Mavericks missed the playoffs in the 2016–17 season, finishing with a losing record for the first time since 1999–2000. They also missed the playoffs in 2017–18, finishing with a 24–58 record, their worst since 1997–98.

In the 2018 NBA draft, Dallas traded for Luka Dončić, who was drafted third overall. Coach Rick Carlisle called Dončić a "franchise foundation piece." Long-time center DeAndre Jordan also signed with the team. The Mavericks finished the 2018–19 season 33–49 and missed the playoffs, but Dončić won the Rookie of the Year award. Dirk Nowitzki announced his retirement after this season, having played a record-breaking 21 seasons with the Mavericks.

The Luka Dončić Era (2019–2025)

Return to Playoff Contention (2019–2021)

In January 2019, the Mavericks traded for Kristaps Porziņģis, Tim Hardaway Jr., and others. In the 2019–20 season, the Mavericks started strong. Luka Dončić was amazing, averaging close to a triple-double and becoming an MVP candidate. He led the Mavericks to have the best offense in the league. Dončić was selected as a Western Conference starter for his first NBA All-Star Game.

The Mavericks were invited to the NBA Bubble to finish the 2019–20 season. They clinched a playoff spot, their first since 2016. In the first round of the 2020 playoffs, they lost to the Los Angeles Clippers despite incredible performances from Dončić. Dončić was also named to the All-NBA First Team.

The 2020–21 season was challenging due to many players missing games because of health protocols. Despite this, Dallas improved their record and won the Southwest Division title for the first time since 2009–10. However, they lost to the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the playoffs for the second year in a row, in a tough seven-game series.

Jason Kidd Returns as Coach (2021–2023)

After the 2020–21 season, long-time head coach Rick Carlisle resigned. Donnie Nelson, the general manager, also left the team.

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

Under Coach Kidd, the Mavericks finished the 2021–22 season with a 52–30 record. They won their first playoff series since their 2011 championship, defeating the Utah Jazz 4–2. They then faced the Phoenix Suns, who had the best record in the league. Despite being down 3–2 in the series, the Mavericks won the next two games, including a huge 33-point victory in Game 7, to advance to their first Western Conference Finals since 2011! In the Conference Finals, they 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. For the 2022–23 season, the Mavericks traded for star guard Kyrie Irving. However, the team struggled to play well together and missed the playoffs.

Return to the NBA Finals (2023–2024)

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

The Mavericks finished the 2023–24 regular season as Southwest Division champions with a 50–32 record. In the 2024 NBA playoffs, they faced the Los Angeles Clippers for the third time in five seasons and won the series 4–2. They then eliminated the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in six games. This sent the Mavericks to the Western Conference Finals for the second time in three years. They defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, winning their third Western Conference title!

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

Luka Dončić's Last Year (2024–2025)

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

On February 1, 2025, the Mavericks made a huge trade, sending Luka Dončić, Markieff Morris, and Maxi Kleber to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a 2029 first-round draft pick. This trade was very surprising, as it was rare for two All-NBA players to be traded for each other mid-season. Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison said he believed "defense wins championships." Dončić was reportedly upset by the trade.

The Mavericks finished their 2024–25 season in the play-in tournament against the Memphis Grizzlies. On May 12, 2025, the Mavericks won the first overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft, even though they had a very small chance. They selected Cooper Flagg.

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, their home white uniforms had "Mavericks" in blue. The 1980s green road jerseys were brought back for the team's 25th anniversary in 2004–05 and again in 2015–16.

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

In 2003–04, the Mavericks tried out shiny silver alternate uniforms, but fans didn't like them, calling them "Trash Bags." They were only worn for one game.

In 2004–05, the Mavericks introduced an alternate green uniform, designed by rapper Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. It had "Mavs" in white on the front.

In 2009, a new alternate royal blue uniform replaced the green one. This uniform was also used for the NBA's "Noche Latina" (Latin Night) promotion, with "Los Mavs" on it.

In 2010, the Mavericks changed their main road uniform to a new royal blue design with "Dallas" in navy blue.

In 2011, they unveiled an alternate navy blue uniform with "Mavs" on the front.

In 2014, the Mavericks revealed a new navy alternate uniform featuring the Dallas skyline. This design was chosen from a fan contest. It was first worn in the 2015–16 season.

When Nike became the uniform supplier in 2017, uniforms were categorized as "Icon" (royal blue), "Association" (white), and "Statement" (navy blue).

For their "City" uniforms, the Mavericks wore black with neon green trim in 2017–18, a nod to their original colors. New "City" uniforms were designed each year, including one inspired by graffiti in 2019–20 and one with gold and silver trim inspired by the Pegasus symbol of Dallas in 2020–21.

In 2022, the "Statement" uniform was updated to feature "Mavs" on the front. For the NBA's 75th anniversary in 2021–22, the "City" uniform combined elements from past uniforms, including green stripes and a modified cowboy hat logo.

The 2022–23 "City" uniform had a retro style with white letters and green trim on a blue base, inspired by the 1970s disco era in Dallas.

For the 2023–24 "City" uniform, the Mavericks worked with Grammy Award-winning artist Leon Bridges. This black uniform with Western-style letters honored American rhythm and blues history. A white version of this uniform was used for the 2024–25 "City" uniform.

Coaches

The Mavericks have had nine head coaches. Dick Motta was the first coach and led the team for nine seasons. Don Nelson has the most regular season wins (339). Avery Johnson has the most playoff wins (23) and the highest winning percentage. Johnson was the first coach to lead the team to the Western Conference championship in 2006 and won the NBA Coach of the Year award.

Rick Carlisle coached the Mavericks 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, Jason Kidd is the head coach. In 2022, he 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 strong rivalry because they faced each other twice in the NBA Finals. In the 2006 NBA Finals, Dallas was favored to win. They won the first two games, but Miami came back to win four straight games and the championship.

They met again in the 2011 NBA Finals. This time, Miami was favored because they had LeBron James and Chris Bosh. Miami won Game 1, but Dallas won four of the next five games, upsetting the Heat and winning their first NBA title!

San Antonio Spurs

The Mavericks and Spurs have a fierce rivalry, often called the "I-35 rivalry" because both cities are on Interstate 35. The Spurs actually started in Dallas as the Chaparrals before moving to San Antonio. The teams have met many times in the playoffs. The Spurs won in 2001, 2003, 2010, and 2014, while the Mavericks won in 2006 and 2009.

In the 2003 Western Conference Finals, both teams had 60-win seasons. The Spurs won in six games. The rivalry became even more intense in 2005 when former Spurs player Avery Johnson became the Mavericks' coach.

In the 2006 playoffs, they met again in a very exciting series. Five of the seven games were decided in the final minute. The Mavericks won Game 7 in overtime, advancing to the Conference Finals.

In 2007, the Mavericks were upset in the first round, while the Spurs went on to win the NBA Championship. In the 2009 playoffs, the Mavericks defeated the Spurs in the first round. However, in 2010, the Spurs beat the Mavericks in the first round.

In the 2014 playoffs, the teams met again in the first round. It was a very close series, with the Mavericks winning Game 3 on a last-second shot by Vince Carter. The series went to seven games, but the Spurs won Game 7 and eventually won the NBA Championship.

Phoenix Suns

The rivalry with the Phoenix Suns grew after former Mavericks point guard Steve Nash signed with the Suns in 2004. Nash helped turn the Suns into a top team. They met in the 2005 Western Conference Semifinals. Phoenix won Game 1, but Dirk Nowitzki hit a game-winning shot in Game 2 to tie the series. Phoenix eventually won the series in six games.

They met again in the 2006 Western Conference Finals. The Mavericks won the series in six games, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring 50 points in Game 5. Dallas then went on to the NBA Finals.

On March 14, 2007, the Suns beat the Mavericks in a thrilling double-overtime game. Steve Nash made a game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds of regulation.

In 2013, the Mavericks' 12-season playoff streak ended with a loss to the Suns. From 2016 to 2022, the Suns dominated the rivalry in regular season games.

However, the Mavericks and Suns met again in the 2022 Western Conference Semifinals. The Suns were heavily favored, but the Mavericks upset them, winning Game 7 by 33 points on the Suns' home court!

Houston Rockets

This is another Texas rivalry, with both cities linked by Interstate 45. The Rockets won all six meetings in the Mavericks' first season. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets in the 1988 and 2005 playoffs.

On April 11, 1995, the Mavericks had a memorable 156–147 double-overtime win against the reigning champion Rockets. In the 2010s, the rivalry became more intense with social media exchanges between Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Rockets general manager Daryl Morey. In 2014, former Rockets player Chandler Parsons signed with the Mavericks, causing a stir among Rockets fans.

In the 2015 playoffs, the Rockets and Mavericks met in the first round, and the Rockets won the series 4–1.

Los Angeles Lakers

The rivalry between the Lakers and Mavericks started in the 1980s during the Lakers' "Showtime era." The Lakers defeated the Mavericks in the playoffs in 1984, 1986, and 1988. In 1988, the Lakers beat the Mavs in a tough seven-game Western Conference Finals and went on to win the NBA Finals.

In 2011, the Mavericks faced the two-time defending champion Lakers in the Western Conference Semifinals. The Mavericks shocked everyone by sweeping the Lakers in four games, stopping their chance at a "three-peat." The Mavs then went on to win the NBA Finals. That series had some intense moments, with players getting ejected for fouls.

Season-by-Season Records

Here are the results for the last five seasons of the Mavericks. For the full history, see List of Dallas Mavericks seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, W–L% = Winning percentage

Season	GP	W	L	W–L%	Finish	Playoffs
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)
2024–25	82	39	43	.476	3rd, Southwest	Did not qualify

Home Arenas

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

Team Personnel

Current Roster

Retired Numbers

The Mavericks have honored several great players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player on the team will wear that number again.

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

Several players and coaches who were part of the Dallas Mavericks have been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing their amazing careers.

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
70	Dennis Rodman	F	2000	2011
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

Individual Awards

The Mavericks have had many players and coaches win important NBA awards.

NBA All-Star Selections

Many Mavericks players have been chosen to play in the NBA All-Star Game, which features the best players from each conference.

• 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 – 2020–2024
• Kyrie Irving - 2023, 2025
• Anthony Davis - 2025

List of NBA All-Star Game head coaches

• Don Nelson – 2002
• Avery Johnson – 2006

Team Ownership

Mark Cuban bought a majority share of the Mavericks in 2000. He was known for being a very involved and passionate owner.

On December 27, 2023, Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont bought a 69% majority share of the team. Cuban kept 27% ownership and still helps manage the team's operations. Dumont became the team's main representative on the NBA Board of Governors. The Adelson and Dumont families now have the final say on all major team decisions. Cuban's time as owner was the longest and most successful in team history, including the 2011 NBA championship.

See also

In Spanish: Dallas Mavericks para niños