The Dallas Mavericks are facing a race against the clock-and the weather-as they prepare to take on the Milwaukee Bucks tonight in a primetime matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST, but as of early afternoon, the team was still grounded in Dallas, stuck on their plane due to widespread winter weather delays across the country.
According to reports, the Mavericks remained on the tarmac around 1:13 p.m. EST, less than six hours before game time.
It’s not the kind of pregame routine any team hopes for, especially ahead of a road game against one of the Eastern Conference’s top squads. Travel delays like this don’t just disrupt schedules-they throw off everything from pregame walkthroughs to player recovery and mental prep.
Adding to the uncertainty, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg has been listed as doubtful for tonight’s game due to left ankle injury management. The 19-year-old forward has been a consistent presence in the Mavericks’ lineup all season, so his potential absence would be a significant blow.
While being listed as “doubtful” technically leaves the door open for Flagg to suit up, history tells us that players rarely see the floor once they’re tagged with that designation. Still, it’s worth noting that Flagg has been impressively durable in his first year in the league.
He’s appeared in 43 of the team’s 46 games, putting up 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He’s shooting 47.3% from the field, though his three-point shooting remains a work in progress at 28.0%.
Those numbers only tell part of the story. Flagg’s impact goes beyond the stat sheet-he’s brought energy, versatility, and a competitive edge that’s helped shape the Mavericks’ identity this season. If he can’t go tonight, Dallas will need to find a way to fill that void, especially against a Bucks team that can exploit any cracks in the armor.
Of course, that all hinges on the Mavericks actually making it to Milwaukee. The same winter storm that has them grounded already forced the postponement of Sunday’s game between the Denver Nuggets and Memphis Grizzlies. If the Mavericks do manage to get airborne in time, it’ll be a quick turnaround from runway to hardwood.
This is one of those rare nights where logistics and weather are just as much a part of the story as matchups and minutes. Whether Flagg plays or not, and whether the Mavericks arrive in time for tip-off, we’re in for an unusual-and potentially unpredictable-evening of NBA basketball.