NBA forces Mavericks into emotional dance with the devil no one is ready for

The NBA released its schedule recently, and the Dallas Mavericks could be in for a sweet surprise. For starters, Dallas now has the tenth most nationally televised games next season. This comes as a shock, as Luka Doncic is no longer a Maverick. Basically, the NBA and the Mavs are ecstatic about Cooper Flagg's upcoming professional debut, and Dallas will still be under the spotlight, even without Doncic in town.

The team was gifted the first pick back in May after a tumultuous season. Dallas shocked the NBA world by trading Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a first-round pick. The Mavs then lost Davis for 18 games after he suffered an adductor injury. The piling misfortunes eventually shifted in the Mavs' favor, and they won the NBA Draft Lottery. They were gifted the No. 1 and selected Flagg. It was an emotional past six months that forced many fans to hate Nico Harrison and miss Doncic, while praising the selection of Flagg.

However, times have passed, and Dallas is ready to start a new era of basketball. With the new schedule released already, the team has certain dates circled on their calendar. November 28 will be one of those dates highlighted. The Mavs' new face of the franchise, Cooper Flagg, will take on the former franchise leader, Luka Doncic, in Los Angeles. It'll be a game that'll go down in franchise history, but it's much more than just a normal game against Doncic and the Lakers.

The most personal game on the Mavs' schedule will be on November 28

Last season, Doncic played against the Mavs twice after being wrongfully traded and stabbed in the back. In the first game, he was full of emotions as he struggled to shoot the ball. Doncic eventually found his rhythm and controlled the game, as the Mavs' defense had no answer. He turned up the heat in his second match against his former team, as he scored a whopping 45 points and shot 57.1 percent overall. It was a game of high emotions, as it was the first time he made his return to Dallas.

Now, the next Mavericks-Lakers matchup will have even more sentimental meaning, as it'll be the first time Flagg will face off against Doncic. It's a matchup fans will have marked down. It's a showdown between the former Mavs' all-star and their current rising star. It'll be a full-circle moment, as fans will be on the edge of their seats for its entirety.

On top of this being a major rivalry game that the entire country will be watching, it's also the Mavs' final Group Play game of the NBA Cup, meaning it could have major implications on Dallas advancing to the Knockout Rounds (depending on how they fared in their first three Group Play games)

Plus, Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki will likely be one of the studio analysts for the game since it's on Amazon Prime. His thoughts on the game, probably from the studio or potentially from the arena, will be the icing on the cake. If you remember, Nowitzki was deeply saddened by the Doncic trade. He knew that Doncic wanted to follow in his footsteps and possibly finish his career in Dallas, similar to his journey.

Nowitzki's comments illustrated his ill feelings towards the trade. It was obvious Doncic always wanted to be a Maverick. However, he did his best to move on from the situation, as he welcomed Flagg to Dallas on draft night. Nowitzki was in a video that the Mavs played at their draft party at the American Airlines Center, stating how Dallas is a special place and fans can't wait to see him play. So, similar to Mavs fans, Nowitzki too experienced a whirlwind of emotions.

So, there is no question Nowitzki, too, will have November 28 circled as well. It's a date fans can't wait to experience. Imagine a scenario where Flagg is forced to guard Doncic or vice versa. It'll be a sight for the entire world to see, and MFFLs won't ever be able to get it out of their heads.

Until then, fans will have to wait another three months for the most anticipated match. Dallas opens up the season against the San Antonio Spurs on October 22, when Flagg faces off against the No. 2 pick, Dylan Hopper.

Dallas plays the first five games of the season at home. After the Spurs, Dallas plays the Washington Wizards and Toronto Raptors, two teams that missed the playoffs last season. This means it'll be a good opportunity for Flagg to showcase his talents in front of his new fans.

So, Mavs' fans, get your popcorn ready because the 2025-26 season is upon us. The Dallas Mavericks have some pivotal matchups, as November 28 will be one of many games highlighted. Seeing Luka Doncic play against Cooper Flagg will be must-see TV, as it'll be the old era of Mavs hoops versus the new era with Flagg leading the way, and Nowitzki working the game is going to make this game feel like something out of a dream.