Max Christie's brutal start makes it harder for Mavericks to justify his starting spot

Max Christie is off to a brutal start to the 2026-27 season for the Dallas Mavericks. He's averaging 7.1 points per game while shooting career lows from the field and beyond the arc (33.3 percent and 27 percent, respectively). This comes after Dusty May predicted he would have a breakout season during the offseason, making his early struggles even more disappointing.

Max Christie's game against the Kings was a disaster

Christie is getting good looks from long range; they just aren't going down. Monday night's game against the Sacramento Kings was easily his worst game of the season, as he finished with zero points and one turnover while shooting 0-of-5 from 3-point range. Dallas desperately needed a shooter to step up and help spread the floor for Cooper Flagg with Kyrie Irving sidelined, but no one did, and the team lost their third game of the year.

Christie left the game against the Kings in the second quarter with a right hip injury, but his performance before getting injured was poor. He struggles to make an impact when his shot isn't falling, and his slow start to the season is making his spot in Dusty May's starting five much harder to justify.

The Christie vs. Zaccharie Risacher battle is bound to heat up again

There were many debates over the offseason among fans about who should start between Christie and Zaccharie Risacher, and while Max has started in every game thus far, these conversations are only going to become more pressing now — especially if Christie misses time.

Risacher has performed well in his first season in Dallas, as he's averaging 8.1 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 1.4 blocks per game. Zacch is already playing more than Christie, as he's averaging 27.9 minutes per game and closes games often, and he could find himself as the team's long-term starter if Christie can't find his shot and begin to make a consistent impact offensively.

While Risacher's shooting hasn't been great, as he's shooting 36.8 percent from the field and 27.6 percent from three, his rebounding and defense have both been elite. He crashes the glass hard and is a strong help-side rim protector, and the Mavs are clearly better when he's on the floor compared to the bench.

Risacher's on/off numbers make his case to start stronger

Dallas is outscoring their opponents by 3.7 points per 100 possessions when Risacher is on the court. When he's on the bench, they're getting outscored by 6.1 points per 100 possessions. His impact is felt every time that he steps onto the court due to the energy that he brings, and when comparing his on/off numbers with Max's, the choice should be easy for who to start.

Opponents are outscoring the Mavs by 7.9 points per 100 possessions when Christie is on the floor. When he's on the bench, Dallas is outscoring their opponents by 7.1 points per 100 possessions. Christie is posting a -15.1 net rating, and if his shooting struggles persist, these numbers could become even more glaring.

Christie's impact is limited when his shot isn't falling

It's hard for May to justify keeping Christie in his starting five if he can't knock down open shots, as this is supposed to be his signature skill. Max shot 40.4 percent from three on 5.8 attempts per game last season, showing off his potential as a volume shooter, but he has not been able to replicate this success in his fifth season.

May believes that Christie is going to turn things around, but if he doesn't, this starting five is going to need a shake up.

"He had a great summer and there’s ebbs and flows and ups and downs in any season," May said on Monday. "We always just kinda stress that water is gonna find its level…Keep believing and having faith, and your time will come. 82-game season, we’re confident that water’s gonna find its level on our shooters."

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