Mavericks Starters Face Challenges in Preseason Loss to Hornets Key Takeaways

Basio badr

ago 4 hours

The Dallas Mavericks faced the Charlotte Hornets in their only preseason game, held at the American Airlines Center. The matchup occurred on October 6, 2025, and ended with the Hornets victorious, winning 120-116. Despite a challenging start, the Mavericks’ reserves displayed resilience with a late-game rally.

Mavericks Starters Face Challenges in Preseason Loss to Hornets

Head Coach Jason Kidd initially intended to play his starters into the third quarter, replicating the lineup from their previous game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Unfortunately, the Mavericks found themselves trailing 30-13 just six minutes into the game. The Hornets started strongly, making six of their first eight three-point attempts.

Significant Game Highlights

Dereck Lively II, a promising center, struggled with his shooting despite the Mavericks’ plans for him to take more three-point shots this season.
Miles Bridges notably scored 13 points within the first six and a half minutes of the game, including three three-pointers.
Cooper Flagg stood out for his performance, finishing with 11 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals, although he recorded five turnovers.
Kon Knueppel had a difficult game, initially struggling but managed to contribute points in the final quarter.

Preseason Observations

The performance of the Mavericks’ starters raised concerns about their defensive capabilities, particularly in light of the Hornets’ strong outside shooting. Lively’s inability to capitalize on open shots may require further development before he can fulfill expectations.

Overall, while the Mavericks showed potential with a late-game surge, the loss highlighted the need for improvement in their early-game performance and defensive strategies. As the preseason continues, fans will watch closely to see how the team adjusts and grows leading into the regular season.