Mavs Face Warriors on Christmas Day, Short-Handed but Surging Behind Rookie Phenom Cooper Flagg
The Dallas Mavericks will take the floor on Christmas Day missing key pieces once again, walking into Chase Center with a lengthy injury report and a whole lot of questions about who’s available-and who’s not. But even with a depleted roster, there’s no shortage of intrigue in this holiday matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
Let’s set the scene: Dallas is carrying 10 players on its pregame injury report, a list that reads more like a full rotation than a few bumps and bruises. They’ve been battling through adversity all season, and this Christmas clash is no different.
Injury Report: A Rotation in Flux
Here’s how the availability shakes out for Dallas:
- Brandon Williams (right ankle sprain), Max Christie (illness), and Dwight Powell (illness) are all listed as probable-a good sign, but nothing guaranteed.
- **P.J.
Washington** (right midfoot soreness) and Moussa Cissé (G League assignment) are questionable, which could further complicate Dallas’ already-thin frontcourt.
- Miles Kelly is doubtful due to his G League status.
- And then there’s the trio who are officially out: Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), and Danté Exum (right knee surgery). That’s a massive hit to both the starting lineup and the bench.
With Irving, Lively, and Exum all sidelined, Dallas is once again leaning heavily on its younger pieces and two-way players to hold the line. The margin for error is razor-thin, especially against a Warriors team that’s been a staple of Christmas Day basketball for over a decade.
Cooper Flagg’s Christmas Debut
Despite the injury woes, the spotlight will shine brightest on Cooper Flagg, who’s set to make his Christmas Day debut-and his first trip to San Francisco as a pro. And make no mistake: the rookie has been thriving.
Flagg is averaging 19.2 points and 6.4 rebounds through his first 30 NBA games, but those numbers only tell part of the story. Since Dallas shook off a brutal 5-15 start, Flagg has shifted into another gear.
Over the team’s last 11 games-a stretch where the Mavs have gone 7-4-he’s averaging 25.1 points on 53.4% shooting. That’s not just rookie-of-the-year stuff; that’s franchise-cornerstone material.
His latest outing? A near triple-double: 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists on an ultra-efficient 14-of-21 shooting in a 131-130 win over the Nuggets.
It was the kind of performance that makes you sit up and say, *this kid is different. *
“He’s getting the toughest defender every night,” said veteran center Anthony Davis. “They’re trying to take away his ability to put it on the floor and score, but he’s handling it very well.”
Flagg’s poise, versatility, and scoring touch have given Dallas a much-needed spark. On a team missing some of its biggest names, he’s become the go-to guy-and he's answering the call.
From March to December: College Rivals Cross Paths Again
This Christmas showdown also brings a few familiar names back into the spotlight-names that college hoops fans will remember from last April.
Flagg’s last college game came in the Final Four, where he dropped 27 points in a losing effort to Houston. In that game, he outscored LJ Cryer, who had 26 for the Cougars.
Cryer is now with the Warriors organization, though he’s yet to make his NBA debut and has spent most of the season with Santa Cruz. A head-to-head rematch with Flagg is unlikely, but the connection adds a layer of intrigue.
A more likely matchup comes in the form of Will Richard, another standout from last season’s NCAA tournament. Richard helped lead Florida to a national championship and was picked late in the draft by Golden State. He’s carved out a role in the Warriors’ rotation, averaging 8.1 points and 2.7 rebounds through 25 games, including a 30-point night in November and a 20-point outing last week.
Flagg, for comparison, has already topped 30 points three times this season and has scored 20 or more in 13 games. The rookie’s production is on another level, but Richard’s emergence adds another compelling wrinkle to this matchup.
Klay Thompson Returns to Chase-In a Different Uniform
Adding even more emotion to the afternoon: Klay Thompson returns to Chase Center for the first time as a member of the Mavericks.
Thompson spent 13 seasons with the Warriors, winning four championships and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest shooters the game has ever seen. Now, he’s back-only this time, he’s in Dallas blue.
Golden State plans to honor the moment with a commemorative scarf giveaway for fans in attendance, a nod to the impact Thompson had on the franchise and the city.
While his on-court role has shifted, his presence in this game adds a layer of nostalgia and emotion that will be hard to ignore once the ball tips.
Holiday Hoops, High Stakes
Dallas enters Christmas with a 12-19 record, but they’ve shown signs of life recently-thanks in large part to Flagg’s breakout and a grittier defensive identity. Still, the injuries have forced the Mavs to dig deep into their depth chart, including multiple two-way players just to field a full squad.
This game against Golden State-on national TV, in one of the league’s toughest arenas-isn’t just another stop on the schedule. It’s a test of resilience.
A check-in on how far Flagg has come. And a chance for Dallas to show that even when they’re short-handed, they’re not short on fight.
Tipoff is set for 4:00 p.m. CST on ABC and ESPN. Expect fireworks, emotion, and maybe even a statement from one of the league’s most exciting young stars.