10 Most important games on Dallas Mavericks' 2024-25 schedule

4. First playoff rematch against the Oklahoma City Thunder

One team that the Mavs will be chasing in the Western Conference, and who they want to beat again is the team they defeated in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the Oklahoma City Thunder. The two teams will face off against each other for the first time in the 2024-25 season on November 17 in Oklahoma City.

Both Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be extra eager to face off against each other after the two of them finished below Nikola Jokic for the 2023-24 MVP.

The Thunder were the top seed in the Western Conference last season, and they will want to prove being a top seed wasn't a fluke, but the Mavs want to show that their playoff series win against the Thunder wasn't a fluke. So, the two teams have a good chance to show each other who is more ready with a matchup in November.

Playing in Oklahoma City can be a challenge for any team in the playoffs, but the Mavs went 2-1 on the road against the Thunder in the second round. A big road win in November against an elite team sends a message to the rest of the conference the Mavs can win anywhere in the West.

The Mavs' first game against the Thunder will be a big contest early in the season. The Mavs will need early success against the Thunder that can carry over for the rest of the season and put them in a good position to win the tiebreaker.