Dallas Basketball

Where Are Mavs in Power Rankings After Loss vs. Luka Doncic, Lakers?

The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to bounce back after losing to Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Jeremy Brener|
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) after the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jan 24, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) hugs Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) after the game at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks have been playing in their best stretch of basketball so far this season as of late, winning four of their last five.

As a result, NBA.com writer John Schuhmann is moving them up in his weekly power rankings from No. 24 to 22, two spots higher than the previous edition.

"The Mavs had won four straight games for the first time this season, beating the Knicks and Warriors last week. And they were seven minutes from making it five straight, but then they blew a 15-point, fourth-quarter lead to the Lakers, scoring just eight points on their final 17 possessions on Saturday," Schuhmann wrote.

"The Mavs’ defense will continue to be tested, with seven of their final eight games before the All-Star break coming against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively. They’ve held the Rockets (fourth) to just 108.0 points per 100 possessions (Houston’s second-worst mark vs. any opponent) in three meetings thus far, set to complete the season series on Saturday."

READ MORE: Mavericks Reportedly Have High Asking Price For Veteran in Trade Talks

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie
Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic drives to the basket past Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie. | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Mavericks Moving Up in Power Rankings

The teams that rank below the Mavericks in the power rankings are the Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Utah Jazz, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers, Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, and Washington Wizards.

A big reason why the Mavericks have been so successful in this recent stretch has been due to their defense.

"The Mavs rank seventh defensively and the last five games (107.8 points allowed per 100 possessions) have been their best stretch on that end of the floor since early November. Two of those games came against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively and their win last Monday was the Knicks’ worst offensive game of the season (97 points on 105 possessions)," Schuhmann wrote.

If the Mavericks can continue playing sound defense, the wins will continue to stack and that will allow them to move higher in the power rankings.

READ MORE: Mavericks' Road Matchup Against Bucks Unfortunately Delayed by NBA

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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