The NBA has officially rescheduled the postponed matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks, originally set for last Sunday but delayed due to travel issues. The Mavericks’ team plane was grounded at Love Field, leaving the team unable to make it to Milwaukee in time for tipoff.
Now, the league has locked in a new date: Tuesday, March 31 at 8 p.m. EST.
That’s nearly a month later than initially expected, and it bucks the early speculation that the game might be squeezed into the All-Star break window. Instead, the NBA opted for a more spaced-out solution-and it’s not the only adjustment they made.
To avoid the dreaded “three games in three nights” scenario, the league also shuffled Dallas’ schedule around the rescheduled Bucks game. The Mavs were originally slated to face the Memphis Grizzlies on April 1, but with games now on March 30 and 31, that would’ve made for an unsustainable run.
So, the NBA moved the Grizzlies game up to Thursday, March 12 at 8 p.m. EST.
That tweak creates a new stretch for Dallas: they’ll play in Atlanta on March 10, head to Memphis on March 12, then return home for a back-to-back that includes the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s a tough travel week, but it gives them a bit more breathing room heading into April.
And that’s where things get interesting. With the new schedule, Dallas now has an extra day off in early April, which could be critical for a team trying to stay fresh down the stretch. They’ll host the Orlando Magic on April 3, followed by a marquee matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on April 5-a game that’s already circled on the national TV calendar.
By the time the Mavericks and Bucks finally square off on March 31, both rosters could look significantly different. Kyrie Irving is expected to return sometime after the All-Star break, potentially giving Dallas a huge boost as they gear up for the playoff push. On the other side, Anthony Davis could be back from his thumb injury-assuming he’s still wearing purple and gold by then.
And Milwaukee? The Bucks are facing their own uncertainties.
Recent reports suggest Giannis Antetokounmpo may be on the move, with speculation swirling that he’s “ready for a new home.” If that happens before the end of March, the team Dallas faces might be missing its most dominant force.
Back in November, fans were treated to a memorable showdown between Giannis and Cooper Flagg. That clash felt like a passing-of-the-torch moment. But come March 31, the rematch might look a lot different-new faces, new lineups, and potentially, new stakes.
So while the calendar reshuffle might seem like a simple schedule update, it could end up being a pivotal moment in the season for both teams. March 31 isn’t just a makeup game-it might be a measuring stick for two franchises navigating very different paths.