February 14, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wimpanyama (1) looks to move the ball past Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first quarter at American Airlines Center. Mandatory credit: Photos by Jerome Miron-Imagine
It’s finally “go time” for the Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs, two teams with different expectations, when the Lone Star State rivals open their season Thursday in Dallas.
The Mavericks are in the hunt for a division title, while San Antonio is trying to return to respectability after a long rebuilding period.
Dallas went 50-32 in the 2023-24 season and beat the Spurs in all four meetings en route to the Western Conference title.
Led by guards Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, the Mavericks are expected to once again compete for first place in the West after addressing their three-point shooting deficit by signing free agent Klay Thompson this offseason.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd has played things close to the vest as far as the rest of his starting lineup. Daniel Gafford or Derek Lively II will man the center position, while P.J. Washington will likely start at forward.
The Mavericks’ key reserves include guards Quentin Grimes, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy, forwards Najee Marshall and Maxi Kleber, and center Dwight Powell. Goalkeeper Dante Exum is expected to miss the first three months of the season after undergoing wrist surgery.
Doncic did not play in the preseason while suffering a left calf contusion, but he was a full participant in recent practices and was cleared to play Thursday.
His absence prevents the Mavericks’ “Big Three”, Irving and Thompson, from playing together, but Doncic said Tuesday that the expected relationship will come with time.
“There’s not a lot to adjust to (for me),” Doncic said. “If Klay’s open, he’ll knock him down. He’s Klay Thompson, one of the greatest shooters ever. His motivation is always high. He’s a competitor. He wants to win. Like every other season he wants to win a championship.”
“It’s going to be fun out there,” Doncic said.
The Spurs went 22-60 last season, finishing 14th in the West and missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season despite Victor Wimpanyama being named Rookie of the Year.
The 20-year-old Frenchman averaged a league-leading 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.6 blocks per game in his first season.
Wimbanyama started 71 games last season, leading San Antonio in scoring in 31 games and leading the team in rebounds in 48. The 7-foot-4 center’s 254 shots blocked were the most in a single season since 2015-16 ( Hassan Whiteside, 269).
“As I progressed in my career, I realized it was important to work on the basics,” Wimbanyama said. “There’s been a lot of focus on my game this summer, which is really making the most of simple situations.”
The Spurs added veteran goalkeeper Chris Paul and forward Harrison Barnes this offseason. The Wombanyama duo will be joined by forwards Julian Champagne and Jeremy Suchan in the starting lineup, as shooting guard Devin Vassell recovers from a stress fracture in his foot.
Vassell is expected to return sometime in November.
Keldon Johnson will lead the reserve unit that includes fellow guards Trey Jones, Malaki Branham, Blake Wesley and rookie Stephon Cassel along with forwards Zach Collins and Sandro Mamukelashvili and center Charles Bassey.
San Antonio is led by Gregg Popovich, who is entering his 29th year at the helm of the Spurs. His 1,388 career victories are the most in NBA history.
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