The Dallas Mavericks had an impressive playoff run last year, achieving the Western Conference title as the fifth seed after making crucial adjustments at the trade deadline in February 2024.

Despite this success, they met a tough defeat against the Boston Celtics in the NBA Finals, losing 4-1. With a core including Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, expectations were high for the team. Just last year, Doncic notably scored 73 points in a game against the Atlanta Hawks!

However, this season has been marred by injuries, particularly following Doncic’s calf injury on Christmas Day, which has led to a dramatic slump in their performance. As of recent games, the Mavericks have only won 5 out of their last 16 games and now find themselves precariously placed in the Western Conference standings.

Additionally, rookie Dereck Lively II, who played a significant role in the previous season, is out with an ankle injury. Historical trends suggest that teams coming off a championship run often experience fatigue, affecting their following season, a reality the Mavericks are realizing all too well.

Amid the ongoing challenges, there’s hope that Doncic could return in time for the All-Star break, perhaps by mid-February. Until then, Irving’s ability to carry the team will be critical, raising concerns given his injury history during recent seasons.

Odds are being placed on the Mavericks to miss the playoffs, currently listed at +154 to not qualify for the postseason. It’s crucial to note that simply making the play-in tournament does not suffice; they need to be a top-eight team to progress to the playoffs.