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Mavericks vs Nets Preview and Injury Update: Who wants it less?!

DALLAS, TEXAS - JANUARY 12: Terance Mann #14 of the Brooklyn Nets controls the ball in front of Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at American Airlines Center on January 12, 2026 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks (20-36) visit the Brooklyn Nets (15-41) to participate in a Tuesday evening basketball contest for the ages. Or not. We’ll see. Dallas finally won a game after losing 10 straight, beating the shameless Indiana Pacers. Brooklyn is no better though; they’ve lost four straight and are really not good at basketball. In these games between teams without incentive, the team with the least talent usually loses. That is the Nets

Here’s the main things you need to know:

  • WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs Brooklyn Nets
  • WHAT: Road trippin’, still
  • WHERE: Barclay’s Center, Brooklyn, New York
  • WHEN: 6:30 pm CST
  • HOW: KFAA Channel 29, MavsTV streaming, NBA League Pass

The injury report for our Dallas Mavericks is not surprising. Cooper Flagg is out, the foot sprain lingers and they should take their time here. Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively are of course still out. Mousa Cisse and Ryan Nembhard are doubtful, but this means out. They don’t have a lot of eligibility left and Dallas should’ve done a much better job managing that. Daniel Gafford is questionable but that’s been his whole season, so expect him to play.

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The Brooklyn Nets have five guys on the injury report, but they are all on G-League assignments.

This all goes to explain how the Nets are organically awful as much as any team in the NBA, so while they’re capable of winning, I do not expect them to offer much resistance. The Mavericks have the “problem” of having functional NBA-level veteran talent. Even without Flagg, they fight each game. So expect more of that and one more win in the column for the Mavericks.

Be sure to chime in with your predictions in the comments!

Consider joining Josh and me on Pod Maverick live after the game on YouTube, we should start LATE. Thanks so much for spending time with us here at Mavs Moneyball. Let’s go Mavs!

Read full story at Yahoo Sport →