Lakers’ First Matchup With Mavericks Revealed in NBA Schedule Leak

Apr 9, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) after the game at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers are reportedly set to face off against the Dallas Mavericks at the end of November in the NBA Cup, marking their first showdown of the season and first overall pick Cooper Flagg's first game against the Lakers.

The Mavericks traded Luka Doncic to the Lakers at the NBA trade deadline — one of the most shocking moves in league history.

Los Angeles parted with star Anthony Davis in the deal, shaking up the trajectory for both franchises.

Next season’s first Mavericks/Lakers marquee meeting in the regular season — if the provisional schedule holds — would be at the end of November in the NBA Cup, league sources tell @TheSteinLine and @DLLS_Sports.

The NBA typically announces the full schedule in mid-August. https://t.co/SckKkJm141

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 8, 2025

More news: Lakers Linked to Celtics Sharpshooter as Potential Shooting Upgrade

The Lakers and Mavericks are both contenders this upcoming season and feature key new additions.

The Mavs added Flagg along with D'Angelo Russell — the former Laker who will fill in for Kyrie Irving as he nurses himself back from injury.

Los Angeles added center Deandre Ayton, an inconsistent center who has a ton of potential but has major character concerns, along with shooter Jake LaRavia and Marcus Smart.

The new additions, coupled with the trade that will link these two franchises for the next decaded, makes Lakers-Mavs a legitimate rivalry and must-see TV.

More news: Former Lakers Star Now With Mavericks Takes Massive Shot at LA

Luka Doncic is a top-five player in the NBA, making him a cornerstone player, though Dallas general manager Nico Harrison did not agree.

Reportedly, Harrison felt that Doncic lacked the defensive chops and off-court commitment to lead the team to an NBA title.

He came to this conclusion despite the Mavericks making the NBA Finals under the leadership of Doncic in 2024.

More news: NBA All-Star Wants to Join Lakers or Clippers in Free Agency

Doncic was committed to the Mavs franchise, and when he found out that he was traded, there was visible resentment towards his former team, considering all of the rumors that came out about Doncic's weight management and character.

According to Doncic's agent Lara Beth Seager, the superstar is ready to turn the page, and the showdown with the Mavs should produce the best version of the Slovenian..

“He’s moved on,” Seager told Dan Woike of The Athletic. “I think it was always known that, when Luka was traded here, it’s, ‘He’s here now.’ He wants to win where he is, and it’s important that he wins and that we’re working together with the team so we’re not waiting. His mindset has never been to hop around. His mindset is to win championships.

“His mindset is to build where he is and to work together. And as long as he’s signed with a team, it’s a marriage and you treat it like a marriage.

"And marriages have hard times and good times, but you’re loyal and you’re faithful to each other through it all. And that’s just who Luka Dončić is. I don’t think he ever thought. ‘I’m not signing my extension.’”

For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Lakers, visit Los Angeles Lakers on SI.