The Dallas Mavericks (17-26) face the New York Knicks (25-17) in a cross-conference matchup on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The Mavericks, struggling in 12th place in the Western Conference, are dealing with a depleted roster due to injuries but have won two straight, relying on depth scoring from players like Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall. The Knicks, third in the Eastern Conference, aim to snap a three-game losing streak with strong home play (16-5 at Madison Square Garden) led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. This game at Madison Square Garden pits Dallas’ resilient offense against New York’s balanced attack, but injuries on both sides could lead to a low-scoring grinder despite recent overs in the series.
Venue Location
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY. This iconic 19,812-seat arena, home to the Knicks since 1968, is renowned for its electric atmosphere during high-profile games and features modern amenities like enhanced LED lighting.
Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET (2:00 p.m. PT, 5:00 p.m. local time in New York). The game will be broadcast nationally on NBC and Peacock, with local feeds on MSG (Knicks) and KFAA (Mavericks). Radio coverage includes WFAN 660 AM (Knicks) and KRLD 1080 AM (Mavericks).
Recent Team Forms
The Mavericks have gone 5-5 in their last 10, showing resilience with a +0.9 point differential amid injuries, including recent blowout wins. The Knicks are 2-8 in their last 10, with a -5.2 differential during a three-game skid, hampered by defensive lapses (115.6 allowed).
Here’s a breakdown of each team’s last 10 games:
| Date | Opponent | Result (Mavericks) | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs. Utah Jazz | W | 138-120 |
| Jan 16 | vs. Utah Jazz | W | 144-122 |
| Jan 15 | vs. Denver Nuggets | L | 109-118 |
| Jan 13 | vs. Brooklyn Nets | W | 113-105 |
| Jan 11 | at Chicago Bulls | L | 107-125 |
| Jan 10 | at Chicago Bulls | L | 107-125 |
| Jan 7 | at Sacramento Kings | W | 100-98 |
| Jan 6 | at Sacramento Kings | W | 100-98 |
| Jan 3 | vs. Houston Rockets | W | 110-104 |
| Jan 1 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L | 108-123 |
Overall: 6-4 in last 10 (+9 point differential).
| Date | Opponent | Result (Knicks) | Score |
| Jan 17 | vs. Phoenix Suns | L | 99-106 |
| Jan 15 | at Golden State Warriors | L | 113-126 |
| Jan 14 | at Sacramento Kings | L | 101-112 |
| Jan 11 | at Phoenix Suns | L | 93-112 |
| Jan 9 | vs. New Orleans Pelicans | L | 107-128 |
| Jan 7 | at Philadelphia 76ers | L | 110-131 |
| Jan 5 | at Detroit Pistons | L | 90-121 |
| Jan 3 | vs. Philadelphia 76ers | L | 119-130 |
| Jan 2 | vs. Atlanta Hawks | L | 99-111 |
| Dec 31 | at Milwaukee Bucks | W | 114-113 |
Overall: 1-9 in last 10 (-52 point differential).
Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks:
Anthony Davis (PF): Out (left finger sprain/hand) – Expected return mid-February.
Kyrie Irving (SG): Out (left knee surgery) – Out indefinitely.
Dante Exum (PG): Out (right knee surgery) – Out for season.
Dereck Lively II (C): Out (right foot surgery) – Out for season.
Daniel Gafford (C): Out (right ankle sprain) – Expected return Jan. 22.
P.J. Washington (F): Out (personal reasons) – Expected return Jan. 22.
D’Angelo Russell (PG): Out (illness) – Expected return Jan. 22.
Cooper Flagg (F): Questionable (left ankle sprain) – Recently upgraded; game-time decision.
Moussa Cisse (C): Probable (G League – Two-Way).
Dallas is severely depleted, missing key starters and depth, forcing reliance on players like Klay Thompson (23 PPG recently) and Naji Marshall.
New York Knicks:
Jalen Brunson (G): Questionable (right ankle sprain) – Game-time decision after recent absences.
Josh Hart (G): Questionable (right ankle soreness) – Sat out recently; status uncertain.
New York is relatively healthy but monitoring their backcourt stars.
Key
Player Matchups
Injuries dominate this matchup, shifting focus to available stars and depth players in a potential low-scoring affair.
Cooper Flagg (DAL F) vs. Jalen Brunson (NYK G): If Flagg (18.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG) plays, his rookie versatility tests Brunson (28.2 PPG, 6.1 APG), who drives the Knicks’ offense but may be limited by ankle issues.
Klay Thompson (DAL G) vs. OG Anunoby (NYK F): Thompson (recent 26 PPG, 6 threes) brings shooting volume; Anunoby’s defense (elite perimeter stopper) could neutralize him.
Naji Marshall (DAL F) vs. Karl-Anthony Towns (NYK C): Marshall (multi-tool contributor, 16-24 PPG recently) faces Towns (top rebounder at 11.5 RPG), who exploits mismatches inside.
Ryan Nembhard (DAL G) vs. Kevin McCullar Jr. (NYK G): Nembhard steps up in backcourt (recent assists leader); McCullar provides secondary playmaking for Knicks.
Other keys: Knicks’ rebounding (45.8 per game) vs. Mavericks’ depleted frontcourt. New York’s power play efficiency could exploit Dallas’ absences.
Series History
The all-time series favors Dallas at 47-42 (89 games). Recently, the Mavericks have won 9 of the last 15, but the Knicks took the first meeting this season 113-111 on Nov. 19, 2025. Dallas is 6-2 ATS in the last 8 matchups, with overs hitting in 4 of the last 6 (average 228 points). No playoff history between the teams.
Betting Trends
Spread: Knicks 3-7 ATS in last 10; Mavericks 6-4 ATS recently but 4-6 ATS on road.
Over/Under: Over is 4-1 in Mavericks’ last 5; under is 5-1 in Knicks’ last 6, but series trends over in 4 of last 6.
Other Trends: Knicks 13-1 SU as -265 favorites or more; Mavericks 7-1 ATS vs. sub-.400 teams. Public leans Knicks (60% bets), but overs dominate in head-to-head.
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks 230.5
New York Knicks – 10.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, January 18, 2026
