Mavericks news: Mark Cuban matches fine with donation, Jalen Brunson shines in Game 1

Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is making the best of a bad situation. His team tanked away their final two games to improve their lottery odds. The Mavs have a 79.8 percent chance of keeping their top ten protected first-round pick after losing their last two games, and they desperately need the assets to improve their roster.

The Mavericks were fined $750,000 by the NBA after an investigation into their actions. Dallas still had a chance to qualify for the Play-In Tournament when they decided to lose their final two games, and the league was clearly not happy about the organization not doing everything possible to win those games.

According to Dalton Trigg of Dallas Basketball, Cuban will match the $750,000 fine with a charity donation. The billionaire will certainly give the money to a worthy cause, but this is just beginning on an important offseason for his franchise. Cuban and his front office have much work to do before training camp begins again.

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Cuban got roasted on Twitter on Saturday evening after Jalen Brunson went for 27 points and led the New York Knicks to a Game 1 upset over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

De’Aaron Fox had the second-most points in a playoff debut after dropping 38 and helping the Sacramento Kings defeat the defending champion Golden State Warriors in Game 1. Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic holds the record with 42, and it appears safe for another year.

NBA news

The headlines were dominated by injuries on Sunday. Giannis Antetokounmpo suffered a back injury that forced him out of action in the second quarter as the Bucks lost Game 1 to the Heat. Ja Morant suffered a hand injury, and there are already fears that he may miss Game 2. Tyler Herro broke his hand, which likely will end his 2023 playoffs. Anthony Davis suffered a stinger, but he was able to return to action.

Sunday was a bad day for injuries. Hopefully, there is better health moving forward as the playoff action is just heating up.

There are just two games on Monday night. First, the Sixers will look to go up 2-0 on the Nets, featuring former Dallas Mavericks Dorian Finney-Smith, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Seth Curry, before the Kings look to make it two straight wins over the defending champs. Do not miss a second of the action, and stay tuned for all the latest Mavs news.