The Bounce Newsletter | The Athletic’s Daily NBA Update

Steph Curry’s MSG Dominance Continues
Steph Curry put on another show at Madison Square Garden last night, leading his team to yet another victory at the historic venue. This win adds to an incredible track record—Curry is now 13-1 at MSG, dating back to his college days. The lone loss? A memorable 2013 game where he erupted for 54 points but fell short. Even in defeat, his performances at the Garden have been legendary.

The Mavericks’ Nightmare Season Gets Worse

Just when it seemed like the Dallas Mavericks had already endured their fair share of setbacks, the situation took a turn for the worse. Star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL in Monday’s game, sidelining him for the rest of the season. Losing a player of Irving’s caliber is devastating, but under normal circumstances, a team led by Luka Dončić could still find a way to stay competitive. However, the Mavericks made an unprecedented and baffling decision earlier this year: trading Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers, despite no trade request from the superstar.

Now, Dallas finds itself in complete disarray. Fans are reeling, and the front office—led by General Manager Nico Harrison—is facing intense criticism. Just a few months ago, the Mavericks had a solid foundation. Now, they’re struggling to stay afloat amid a series of disastrous events that have unfolded over the past 10 weeks.

Let’s take a closer look at what has happened:

A Timeline of the Mavericks’ Collapse

December 25: Luka Dončić injures his calf in what turns out to be his final game with the Mavericks.
January 23: Rookie center Dereck Lively II suffers a stress fracture in his foot.
February 1: The shocking Luka Dončić trade to the Lakers becomes official.
February 4: The Mavericks trade Quentin Grimes to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Caleb Martin.
February 8: Newly acquired star Anthony Davis makes a dominant debut for Dallas—only to suffer an adductor injury in the same game.
February 9: Mavericks fans at a home game are ejected for chanting, “Fire Nico,” during a timeout.
February 11: Big man Daniel Gafford sprains his knee, further depleting the Mavericks’ frontcourt depth.
February 25: Luka Dončić records a triple-double in the Lakers’ victory over the Mavericks, adding insult to injury.
March 1: Quentin Grimes, whom the Mavericks traded away, explodes for 44 points with the 76ers, while Caleb Martin has yet to play a game for Dallas.
March 3: The Mavericks announce an 8.6% increase in season ticket prices—a move that infuriates fans already frustrated with the team’s direction.
March 3: Kyrie Irving tears his ACL, officially ending his season.

What This Means for the Mavericks’ Future

Immediate Impact on the 2023-24 Season

As of now, Dallas sits at 32-30, clinging to the 10th seed in the Western Conference. With 20 games remaining, their postseason hopes are still alive, but Kyrie’s injury leaves them with major questions.

The Mavericks are in a tight race with the Phoenix Suns and even the Portland Trail Blazers for a Play-In spot. Fortunately for Dallas, they hold a 3.5-game lead over Phoenix and have the potential to win key tiebreakers:

If the Mavericks defeat the Suns on Sunday, they’ll tie the season series and likely hold the edge due to their superior conference record.
Dallas already owns the tiebreaker over Portland.

Phoenix has the toughest remaining schedule in the NBA, and Portland’s schedule isn’t much easier. The Mavericks have the 18th-toughest schedule remaining, meaning they should still be able to secure a Play-In spot—if they can stay healthy.

The Long-Term Ramifications

Kyrie Irving has a $43.9 million player option for next season. The common assumption would be that he picks up the option, given his injury. However, the reality might be different. The Mavericks must retain Kyrie because they cannot replace his salary slot with another player if he walks. Knowing this, Irving could opt out and force the team to negotiate a new long-term deal with him.

The good news? Modern sports medicine has made ACL recovery much more predictable. Many athletes return stronger than before, meaning Kyrie should be able to regain his elite form.

However, Dallas must also navigate a tricky salary cap situation while rebuilding its roster. The front office’s decisions over the next few months will be crucial in determining whether the Mavericks can compete or remain stuck in mediocrity.

The Funniest (and Most Ironic) Scenario?

Let’s say the Mavericks somehow rally without Kyrie, secure the 7th or 8th seed, and win their Play-In game. What would be their reward? A first-round series against… Luka Dončić and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Considering everything that has transpired, that would be the ultimate poetic justice—or tragedy—for Mavericks fans.

Final Thoughts

Dallas has been hit with one blow after another, and Kyrie’s injury is just the latest in a long series of unfortunate events. Despite this, the team still has a fighting chance to make the postseason, though their long-term future remains murky.

Will the Mavericks recover from this disastrous stretch, or will they spiral further? Only time will tell.