Mavericks at Lakers Preview - February 13, 2026

Battle in LA

The Dallas Mavericks are traveling to Los Angeles on Friday night in search of solutions to their struggles. Meanwhile, the Lakers aim to maintain their positive momentum.

Dallas Searching for Solutions

The Mavericks find themselves in an exceptionally difficult period. They have lost eight consecutive games, leaving their record at 19-34, placing them 12th in the Western Conference. Dallas has achieved only five victories on the road this entire season.

Rookie Cooper Flagg has emerged as a bright star. He scored an impressive 36 points in the last game and averages about 19 points along with six rebounds each night. He attacks the basket like a bolt of lightning. However, Flagg will not play on Friday due to an injury and is expected to return after the All-Star break.

Kyrie Irving is still sidelined as he recovers from knee surgery.

The Luka Trade Still Haunts Dallas

Everything shifted dramatically when Dallas parted ways with Luka Dončić. The franchise's star player was traded to Los Angeles in a blockbuster transaction that stunned the NBA community. Since that time, very little has gone right for the Mavericks, aside from winning the draft lottery to select Cooper Flagg.

Dallas attempted to adjust by focusing on experienced players, including Anthony Davis. Unfortunately, that strategy fell apart quickly. Davis faced ongoing health issues, leading the Mavericks to recently trade him to the Washington Wizards for a disappointing return.

Many fans believe that Dallas effectively transformed Luka into almost nothing. The front office claims it is time to look ahead. However, as the team continues to lose, the lingering consequences of that poor deal still loom large over the organization.

Lakers Building Confidence

Los Angeles boasts a 32-21 record and currently sits sixth in the Western Conference standings. The Lakers recently defeated Brooklyn 125-109, with LeBron James scoring 25 points during the victory. The 40-year-old superstar continues to perform at an elite level.

Austin Reaves contributes significantly to the team's scoring alongside LeBron, averaging around 27 points per game this season.

Luka Dončić will not take the court on Friday as he is recovering from a hamstring injury, but his absence will serve as a reminder to Mavericks fans of what could have been.

Friday Night Showdown

The Lakers are eager to demonstrate their ability to secure consistent victories, while Dallas desperately seeks to end its losing streak before the upcoming break.

For the Mavericks, this game represents much more than just one night. It’s about demonstrating that they can rebuild following a trade that dramatically altered their future, yet continues to haunt their present.