Dallas Plays Sacramento, Aims to Stop Road Skid

Desperate Mavericks Face Kings in Must-Win Road Clash

The Dallas Mavericks (18-15) roll into Sacramento tonight, December 26, 2025, carrying the weight of a four-game road losing streak and the lingering sting of Anthony Davis’s Christmas Day injury. Tip-off against the Sacramento Kings (17-16) is set for 9:00 PM CT at Golden 1 Center, broadcast nationally on NBA TV.

Dallas has dropped four straight away from American Airlines Center—losses to Phoenix, Denver, Portland, and most recently a 126-116 defeat to Golden State on Christmas in which Davis exited early with right groin spasms. The Mavericks have not won on the road since December 8 against the Clippers, and tonight’s matchup against a Kings team riding momentum feels like a pivotal swing game in a tightly packed Western Conference.

Sacramento, meanwhile, enters on a three-game win streak, including impressive victories over the Lakers and Clippers. De’Aaron Fox is playing at an All-NBA level, Domantas Sabonis continues his double-double dominance, and new addition Zach LaVine has injected scoring punch since arriving via trade earlier this month. The Kings sit just a half-game behind Dallas in the standings, making this a de facto play-in preview with major implications for seeding.

Injury Cloud Hangs Over Mavericks

The biggest storyline surrounds Anthony Davis. After leaving the Christmas game in the second quarter, the Mavericks listed him as questionable for tonight with right groin spasms. As of Thursday morning, Davis participated in portions of shootaround but did not go through full contact. Coach Jason Kidd told reporters, “We’re being cautious. AD wants to play, but we have to be smart with the schedule.”

If Davis is limited or sits, Dallas will lean heavily on Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington in the frontcourt—an already thin rotation that struggled mightily against Golden State’s small-ball lineups. The Mavericks rank 22nd in defensive rating over their last ten games, and protecting the paint without their defensive anchor could prove disastrous against Sabonis.

Kyrie Irving (heel) is probable after playing 38 minutes on Christmas. Klay Thompson, who has been inconsistent on the road, is also probable. Luka Dončić remains sidelined indefinitely following his calf strain earlier in December, meaning the offensive burden falls squarely on Irving and the supporting cast.

Sacramento’s Surge: Fox, LaVine, and Sabonis Clicking

The Kings have found their stride since acquiring Zach LaVine from Chicago. LaVine is averaging 24.8 points over his last five games with Sacramento, providing the secondary shot-creation the offense desperately needed alongside Fox and Sabonis.

De’Aaron Fox is in the midst of a career-best stretch, posting 29.4 points and 6.8 assists per game in December while shooting 41% from three. His speed in transition terrorizes defenses, and Dallas—currently 26th in transition defense—has shown vulnerability to quick guards all season.

Domantas Sabonis continues to anchor everything. The two-time All-Star leads the NBA in rebounding (14.2 per game) and has recorded a double-double in 28 of Sacramento’s 33 games. His playmaking out of the high post creates open threes for Keegan Murray and LaVine, and his screening sets up Fox’s deadly pick-and-roll game.

Keegan Murray has quietly become one of the league’s best young shooters, knocking down 39.2% of his threes on high volume. The Kings’ starting five—Fox, LaVine, Murray, Trey Lyles (starting with Kevin Huerter out), and Sabonis—boasts a +12.4 net rating over the last ten games.

Head-to-Head History and Key Matchups

Dallas and Sacramento split their two meetings earlier this season, with each team defending home court. The Mavericks won 122-114 in Dallas on November 19 behind a monster Davis performance (36 points, 15 rebounds), while the Kings took the November 30 rematch in Sacramento 130-118 as Fox dropped 34.

Key individual battles tonight:

1. Kyrie Irving vs. De’Aaron Fox Two of the league’s most skilled ball-handlers go head-to-head. Irving’s mid-range mastery against Fox’s blistering speed will dictate tempo.
2. Anthony Davis (if active) vs. Domantas Sabonis A clash of All-NBA bigs. Davis’s rim protection against Sabonis’s playmaking and rebounding could decide paint points.
3. Klay Thompson/Quentin Grimes vs. Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray Dallas needs perimeter defense to contain Sacramento’s improved wing shooting. Thompson’s off-ball movement could exploit closeouts.
4. Bench Battle: Malik Monk vs. Mavericks Reserves Monk is averaging 18.6 points off the bench in December and thrives in chaotic, high-scoring games. Dallas’s bench—led by Naji Marshall, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Jazian Gortman—must match his energy.

Statistical Breakdown

Dallas Mavericks (18-15, 7th in West)

• Offensive Rating: 114.8 (12th)
• Defensive Rating: 113.2 (16th)
• Pace: 99.8 (15th)
• Road Record: 6-10
• Last 10: 5-5
• Points per game without Dončić: 110.4

Sacramento Kings (17-16, 9th in West)

• Offensive Rating: 116.2 (8th)
• Defensive Rating: 114.1 (19th)
• Pace: 101.2 (8th)
• Home Record: 10-6
• Last 10: 7-3

The Kings play faster and score more efficiently at home, while Dallas struggles to protect the three-point line on the road (opponents shoot 38.1% from deep away from AAC).

Coaching Chess Match: Kidd vs. Brown

Jason Kidd faces perhaps his toughest challenge of the season. With Dončić out and Davis questionable, Kidd must maximize spacing around Irving while patching together frontcourt minutes. Expect heavy doses of small-ball lineups featuring P.J. Washington at center if Davis is limited.

Mike Brown, in his fourth season with Sacramento, has finally found a closing lineup that works. His emphasis on pace and space has unlocked Fox and LaVine, and the Kings rank top-five in transition scoring since the trade.

Brown’s challenge: containing Irving’s isolation scoring without doubling and leaving shooters open.

Atmosphere and Stakes

Golden 1 Center will be rocking. The Kings have sold out 18 of their 20 home games this season, and the post-Christmas crowd—fueled by holiday energy and a winning streak—promises a hostile environment for the slumping Mavericks.

This game carries massive playoff implications. A Dallas loss drops them to 18-16 and potentially out of the top eight in the ultra-competitive West. A win stops the road bleed and keeps them ahead of the chasing pack (Sacramento, Golden State, Memphis, and the Lakers are all within two games).

Player to Watch: Kyrie Irving

With Dončić sidelined and Davis uncertain, this is Kyrie’s team tonight. He’s averaged 28.6 points and 6.2 assists in December, carrying the offense through Luka’s absence. Against Sacramento’s aggressive perimeter defense, Irving will need to attack the rim early and often while trusting teammates to knock down open looks.

If Irving gets into one of his unstoppable scoring zones, Dallas has a real shot. If Fox and the Kings’ length bother him into tough shots, it could be another long night.

Prediction and Final Thoughts

This feels like a get-right spot for Sacramento. The Kings are healthier, playing with confidence, and face a Mavericks team missing its best player and potentially its defensive anchor. Golden 1 Center’s energy should carry them.

That said, Dallas has shown resilience all season. If Davis plays even 25-30 minutes and Irving catches fire, the Mavericks are capable of stealing one.

Bold Prediction: Sacramento wins a high-scoring affair, 124-118. Fox drops 32, Sabonis records another triple-double, and the Kings extend Dallas’s road skid to five.

But if Davis suits up and dominates the paint early, don’t be shocked by a Mavericks upset. Either way, this late-night West Coast showdown should deliver the entertainment NBA fans crave.

For the Mavericks, stopping the road skid starts tonight. For the Kings, continuing their surge means solidifying their place in the playoff picture. December 26 may not be Christmas, but this matchup feels like a gift for basketball junkies.