Dallas Mavericks

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 for the first time since their 2011 championship, 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, joining the NBA for the 1980–81 season. They played their home games at Reunion Arena until moving to American Airlines Center. Key early players included Rolando Blackman, Mark Aguirre, and Brad Davis. The team's only NBA championship came in 2011 under Dirk Nowitzki.

Did You Know?

• The Mavericks' name came from the 1957–1962 TV western Maverick; fans chose the title with 4,600 postcards received, beating Wranglers and Express.
• James Garner, who played the title character in Maverick, was a member of the ownership group.
• The Mavericks' first head coach was Dick Motta, who had guided the Washington Bullets to the NBA Championship in 1977–78.
• In their debut game, the Mavericks defeated the San Antonio Spurs 103–92 at Reunion Arena.