Dallas Mavericks

The only NBA championship in franchise history came in 2011, led by Dirk Nowitzki.

The Dallas Mavericks, often referred to as the Mavs, are an American professional basketball team based in Dallas. The Mavericks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at American Airlines Center, which it shares with the National Hockey League's Dallas Stars.

Quick Facts

Season year: 2025–26
Franchise season count: 46
Draft position: First overall (Cooper Flagg)
Jersey retired: Mark Aguirre No. 24 (January 29, 2026)
Elimination game: March 23 vs. Golden State Warriors (Overtime loss)
Final record: 26–56
Western conference rank: 12th

Lore & Background

Throughout the 1980s, the Mavericks were a perennial playoff team, led by All-Stars Rolando Blackman and Mark Aguirre. They struggled during the 1990s, entering a period of rebuilding, until the acquisition of Dirk Nowitzki in 1998. Nowitzki would become the cornerstone of the most successful period in franchise history, leading the team to its first NBA Finals appearance in 2006 and its only NBA championship in 2011. The Mavericks later entered a rebuilding phase in the tail end of Nowitzki's storied career; although they missed the playoffs in three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 (after which Nowitzki retired following his record-breaking 21st season with Dallas), the franchise's fortunes immediately rebounded once again with the acquisition of Luka Dončić; the Mavericks returned to the playoffs in 2020, reached the Western Conference finals in 2022, and reached their third NBA Finals in 2024.

In February 2025, the Mavericks traded Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers mainly for Anthony Davis. Since the Mavericks' inaugural 1980–81 season, the Mavericks have won five division titles (1987, 2007, 2010, 2021, 2024), three conference championships (2006, 2011, 2024) and one NBA championship (2011).

Reader's Guide

The Mavericks were founded as an expansion team in 1980. They joined the Midwest Division of the Western Conference. Their first head coach was Dick Motta. Key early players included Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, and Brad Davis. The team played its home games at Reunion Arena before moving to American Airlines Center.

Did You Know?

The team's name comes from the 1957–1962 TV western Maverick; fans chose the name with 4,600 postcards received, beating Wranglers and Express.
James Garner, who played the title character in the TV show Maverick, was a member of the ownership group.
The Mavericks' first game was a 103–92 win over the San Antonio Spurs in the brand-new Reunion Arena.
Brad Davis, signed from the Continental Basketball Association, played 12 years for the Mavericks and had his number 15 jersey retired.