Max Christie Emerging as a Sharpshooting Gem for the Mavericks
When the Mavericks pulled the trigger on last year’s blockbuster trade that sent Anthony Davis to Dallas in exchange for Luka Dončić, Davis was the headliner. But fast forward to now, and it’s Max Christie who’s quietly stealing the spotlight in Dallas.
Christie has developed into one of the league’s most reliable perimeter threats, and his recent performance at Madison Square Garden put an exclamation mark on his breakout. The second-year guard drilled eight three-pointers in Monday’s win over the Knicks, lifting his season average from deep to a scorching 54.9%. That’s not just hot - that’s elite.
“Being in the zone, you are kind of unconscious,” Christie said after the game. “You don’t really feel what’s going on around you.
You kind of just are in flow state. Your body is obviously taking over.
It’s a great feeling. Being able to make that many threes is something I’ll be chasing for sure.”
That rhythm, that confidence - it’s the kind of shooting stroke that teams dream about developing in a young player. And for Dallas, Christie’s rise couldn’t come at a better time. With the Mavericks lacking consistent three-point production outside of their stars, Christie’s emergence has added a new layer to their offense and provided some much-needed spacing.
What’s more, Christie isn’t just producing - he’s doing it on an extremely team-friendly deal. He’s making $7.7 million this season, under contract for $8.3 million next year, and holds an $8.9 million player option for 2027-28. For a guy shooting nearly 55% from deep, that’s a steal.
The Mavericks have taken notice, and they’re not holding him back. According to team sources, the coaching staff has been encouraging Christie to let it fly more often. And with the All-Star break around the corner, his name is starting to gain traction as a potential participant in the Three-Point Contest.
“That would be great,” Christie said when asked about the possibility. “That would be super cool.
Something I definitely wouldn’t turn down. Something that would be a dream come true for me.
If I get the nod, that would be amazing.”
Injury Updates: Help on the Horizon
There’s more good news for Dallas on the health front. P.J.
Washington is expected to return for Thursday’s matchup with the Warriors after missing seven of the last eight games due to a sprained ankle and personal matters. He’s officially off the injury report and trending toward a full return.
Daniel Gafford could be back as well. He’s missed the last three games with an ankle sprain but was a partial participant in Wednesday’s light practice and is listed as questionable. The Mavericks could certainly use his interior presence, especially with their frontcourt rotation stretched thin in recent weeks.
Moussa Cisse, however, did not practice due to illness and is also listed as questionable for Thursday’s game.
Weather Watch: Storm Could Impact Weekend Game
Looking ahead to the weekend, a winter storm is in the forecast for Dallas, and it could potentially impact Saturday’s home game against the Lakers. When asked about the situation, head coach Jason Kidd kept it light.
“Oh yeah, that’s out of my pay grade,” Kidd said. “We show up rain or shine.
It snows on the East Coast. I don’t see them postponing.”
Front Office Spotlight: Riccardi’s First Trade Deadline
Behind the scenes, all eyes are on Matt Riccardi as he approaches his first trade deadline as co-interim general manager of the Mavericks. While the spotlight often shines brightest on the court, the front office is working just as hard to position this team for a playoff push - and Riccardi’s decisions over the next few weeks could shape the Mavericks’ trajectory for the rest of the season and beyond.
For now, though, the Mavericks are riding the wave of Christie’s breakout, hoping the return of key players and a little bit of good weather luck can keep them trending in the right direction.