Mavericks narrowly dodge schedule trap that would've sparked another injury nightmare

Believe it or not, but the NBA is just two months away from tipping off its 2025-26 regular season as the league released its regular season schedule for all 30 teams, and the Dallas Mavericks should have a cakewalk start to begin the season. Not only do the Mavericks have five home games in a row to begin the regular season, but outside of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, the Mavericks have a pretty light five-game schedule.

While starting the season on a good note has always been a struggle for the Mavericks, they have always managed to bounce back when it matters the most, and this year's Mavs may have the same opportunity to not only stay healthy throughout the year but also avoid extra back-to-back games, which will help in the long run.

Back-to-back games have always been a controversial part of the NBA's regular season and could be one of the leading causes of the severe amount of injuries fans have seen in the past few seasons. While back-to-backs are never fun to play in or even watch, as most star players avoid playing on the second nights of back-to-back games, the Mavericks are tied for the fewest back-to-back games, which is a blessing in disguise.

Mavericks gifted the fewest back-to-backs in the NBA

Last season's Mavericks were plagued by injuries and illnesses to just about every player on the roster. While the schedule may not have been a direct correlation to the amount of injuries Dallas suffered, back-to-back games could have had a part in Kyrie Irving tearing his ACL in early March.

With this in mind, the league gifted the Mavericks with the fewest back-to-back games a team will need to play, which the Mavericks will need to take full advantage of. Not only does this bode well for Irving's eventual return and the number of games he will be able to play in before the playoffs, but avoiding back-to-backs is always a good formula for good health.

Dallas will need all of its strength as the playoffs aren't necessarily guaranteed with Irving likely sidelined until at least the All-Star break. However, giving Cooper Flagg the most amount of in-game reps at running the team's offense will also be a blessing in disguise as the Mavs ramp up for the playoffs.

With that being said, the Mavericks will still need to play in 13 back-to-back games, which will account for 26 of Dallas' 82-game schedule, which is still a hefty price to pay, but is much better than having 16 back-to-backs, like multiple other teams. Not only are most of the Mavericks' back-to-back games on the front half of the schedule, but when games matter the most in March and April, the Mavs will be very thankful they don't have to suit up on many subsequent nights.

Avoiding a health crisis at the end of the regular season should help the team gear up for the playoffs with a healthy roster and integrate Irving in a way that doesn't feel like the team is forcing him to play in games he doesn't need to suit up for.

The Mavericks will be one of the top-watched teams as they have 23 nationally broadcast games, and avoiding back-to-backs is one of the easiest ways a team can stay healthy and ready for the NBA's biggest stage.