The Brooklyn Nets travel to Dallas to face the Mavericks in a cross-conference matchup on January 12, 2026. The Nets are mired in a three-game losing streak and sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference, struggling with consistency and injuries. The Mavericks, also under .500, are dealing with a depleted roster but have shown flashes of resilience at home. This is the second meeting this season, with Dallas winning the first 119-111 on December 12. Key storylines include rookie sensations like Cooper Flagg for Dallas and Egor Demin for Brooklyn, as both teams lean on youth amid absences. Dallas enters as favorites, aiming to capitalize on Brooklyn’s defensive woes (117.1 PPG allowed, 27th in NBA).
Venue
Location: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
Tip-Off Time: 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT)
TV/Streaming: YES, KFAA; available on NBA League Pass
American Airlines Center has been a moderate haven for the Mavericks, with a 10-10 home record and a 112.9 PPG scoring average there.
Injury Report
Injuries are ravaging both squads, limiting depth and forcing reliance on rookies and role players.
Brooklyn Nets Injuries:
Michael Porter Jr. (F): Out – Rest
Drake Powell (G): Questionable – Knee
Ziaire Williams (F): Questionable – Illness
E.J. Liddell (F): Questionable – Knee
Haywood Highsmith (F): Out – Knee
Ben Saraf (G): Questionable – Knee
Without Porter Jr. (team-high 25.9 PPG), the Nets’ offense takes a massive hit. Highsmith’s absence weakens perimeter defense, and if Williams sits, Brooklyn’s wing rotation thins further.
Dallas Mavericks Injuries:
Anthony Davis (F/C): Out – Left Finger Sprain
Kyrie Irving (G): Out – Left Knee Surgery
Dereck Lively II (C): Out – Right Foot Surgery
Dante Exum (G): Out – Right Knee Surgery
P.J. Washington (F): Doubtful – Right Ankle Sprain
Brandon Williams (G): Doubtful – Illness
Moussa Cisse (C): Questionable – Right Shoulder Sprain
Miles Kelly (G): Questionable – G League Two-Way
Dallas is without its star big man Davis (expected multi-month absence due to ligament damage) and key guard Irving, crippling their interior and playmaking. If Washington sits, the frontcourt is even thinner, relying on Daniel Gafford and Maxi Kleber.
Key Player Matchups
Injuries shift focus to emerging talents and secondary options in this low-scoring potential affair.
Cooper Flagg (DAL) vs. Noah Clowney (BKN): Flagg, the No. 1 rookie (19.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG), brings athleticism and scoring versatility. Clowney (13.2 PPG, strong 3PT shooter at 32.1%) must contain Flagg’s drives while stretching the floor. This rookie battle could decide rebounding edges.
Cam Thomas (BKN) vs. Max Christie (DAL): With Porter out, Thomas (scoring threat, e.g., 51 PTS vs. NYK) shoulders the load. Christie must disrupt Thomas’s rhythm, but Dallas’s backcourt depth issues could allow Thomas to exploit mismatches.
Nic Claxton (BKN) vs. Daniel Gafford (DAL): Claxton (13.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.3 BPG) anchors Brooklyn’s paint. With Davis out, Gafford steps up for Dallas, but Claxton’s efficiency (58% FG) could dominate the boards.
Bench notes: Brooklyn’s Tyrese Martin and Day’Ron Sharpe provide energy; Dallas leans on D’Angelo Russell and Naji Marshall for scoring punch.
Recent Team Forms
Brooklyn is 4-6 in its last 10, with poor defense (113.9 PPG allowed); Dallas is 3-7, hampered by injuries but competitive at home.
Brooklyn Nets Last 10 Games (4-6):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 11 | @ Memphis Grizzlies | L | 98-103 |
| Jan 9 | vs. LA Clippers | L | 105-121 |
| Jan 7 | vs. Orlando Magic | L (OT) | 103-104 |
| Jan 4 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W | 127-115 |
| Jan 2 | vs. Houston Rockets | L | 96-120 |
| Dec 30 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W | 114-106 |
| Dec 28 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W | 96-81 |
| Dec 26 | vs. Miami Heat | L | 95-106 |
| Dec 23 | @ Philadelphia 76ers | W | 114-106 |
| Dec 21 | vs. Toronto Raptors | W | 96-81 |
Nets average 106.5 PPG but allow 109.9 in last 10; defense ranks 27th overall.
Dallas Mavericks Last 10 Games (3-7):
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 10 | @ Chicago Bulls | L | 107-125 |
| Jan 8 | @ Utah Jazz | L | 114-116 |
| Jan 6 | @ Sacramento Kings | W | 100-98 |
| Jan 3 | vs. Houston Rockets | W | 110-104 |
| Jan 1 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L | 123-108 |
| Dec 30 | @ Portland Trail Blazers | L | 125-122 |
| Dec 28 | @ Sacramento Kings | L | 113-107 |
| Dec 25 | @ Golden State Warriors | L | 116-126 |
| Dec 23 | vs. Denver Nuggets | W | 131-130 |
| Dec 22 | @ New Orleans Pelicans | L | 113-119 |
Mavs average 112.8 PPG but allow 117.1; home defense is better (113.0 PPG allowed).
Series History
All-Time Record: Dallas leads 54-34 in 88 regular-season games.
Recent Matchups: Dallas has won 6 of the last 10, including 119-111 on Dec. 12, 2025. Brooklyn won 113-109 on March 31, 2025 (previous season).
At American Airlines Center: Dallas is 4-1 SU in the last 5 home games vs. Brooklyn, with the over hitting in 3 of 4 recent meetings.
Betting Trends
Spread: Nets are 19-17 ATS overall (10-6 as road underdogs), while Mavericks are 15-24 ATS (5-13 as home favorites).
Over/Under: Over has hit in 15 of 36 Nets games (6-4 in last 10) and 23 of 39 Mavericks games. Models project 226.7-227.9 total points.
Trends to Note: Nets are 4-1 ATS in last 5 road vs. Dallas but 1-4 SU; Mavericks are 2-3 SU/1-4 ATS in last 5 overall.
Game Odds
Brooklyn Nets 220.5
Dallas Mavericks – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 11, 2026
