Former MSU Star Breaks Out on National Stage

He's become a big part of his team's success during his fourth NBA season.

Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, OH, USA; A basketball displaying the March Madness logo enter the basket before the game between the USC Trojans and the Michigan State Spartans at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Michigan State has a good track record of developing college basketball players and putting them into professional leagues like the NBA.

Some players have become superstars, while others had quieter careers or didn't quite pan out. But one former Spartan who is starting to make an impact for his team is Max Christie. The fourth-year pro may have had his breakout performance during NBC's national quadruple-header on Monday, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a road win over the New York Knicks with a season-high 26 points, including a career-best eight three-pointers made.

Jan 19, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) reacts against the New York Knicks during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

"I was just making shots," Christie said postgame. "I work on it all the time, and I'm very confident in my jumper. My teammates did a great job of cracking the seams and getting me open shots, and I was able to knock them down."

Max Christie's NBA Development

Adjusting to the Dallas environment after being included in the infamous trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers could not have been easy for Christie. When the trade happened, he had carved out a minor role for the Lakers, but he was suddenly thrust into an organization that had disposed of its franchise player.

Jan 17, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie (00) makes a jump shot over Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

However, since joining the Mavericks, Christie has seen his role increase. He played in 32 games after the trade, averaging 11.2 points for his new team. He's carried that production over to this season, currently ranking fifth on the Dallas team in scoring and among its leaders in three-point percentage.

Monday's game was the ninth consecutive in which he scored at least 10 points, showcasing the scoring ability that we had hoped for but only glimpsed during his time in East Lansing and his two-plus seasons with the Lakers.

Jan 17, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Brandon Williams (10) and guard Max Christie (00) celebrate during the first quarter against the Utah Jazz at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

"For me, being able to have a consistent role here is great," Christie said after a recent win over the Utah Jazz. "Even when I was with the Lakers, I think I still did a good job of carving out a role during the end of my time there, playing well. I think it's just experience as you continue to get a little bit older and more experienced with a lot more games. You just get more comfortable."

While Dallas doesn't have a great roster, Christie does seem much more comfortable, and he's able to learn from one of the best ever to do it as he continues to develop and refine his game: current teammate Klay Thompson, who recently crossed the 17,000-point mark.

Jan 14, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) follows through on a three point attempt against the Denver Nuggets during the second half at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

"Any time you're around someone like that, you want to soak up as much as you can," Christie said. "I'm very blessed to be around someone like him, to be able to call him my teammate, and be able to be around him the last year and a half."

Christie also credits veteran assistant coach Phil Handy for his help in developing him into an NBA player.

Jan 17, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall (13) jokes with guard Max Christie (00) during the second half against the Utah Jazz at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

"He's a rich basketball mind, and he's been around some of the best in the game as well," Christie explained. "So me being able to pick his brain and really pay attention to all the points he's giving me, with the teaching that he's been able to provide for me, he's definitely a big part of the development I've had."

Looking back at Christie in East Lansing

Many questioned Christie's decision to leave Michigan State after just one year in which he fell from a projected lottery pick to the top of the second round. Yet, he's stuck with the process and has now become a valuable part of the Dallas Mavericks, showing all of us exactly why he bet on himself during Monday's game. He has a bright future in the NBA if he continues along the same trajectory, and the league found that out against the Knicks.

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