Mavericks Face Uphill Battle Against Spurs in Critical NBA Matchup
The Dallas Mavericks are set to clash with the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio. This high-stakes NBA encounter comes less than 24 hours after the Spurs decisively defeated Dallas 135-123, highlighting the significant challenges facing the Mavericks as they navigate a difficult stretch of the season.
Team Form and Context: A Tale of Two Fortunes
San Antonio enters this game in formidable form, boasting one of the premier records in the highly competitive Western Conference. In stark contrast, the Dallas Mavericks are mired in a six-game losing streak, compounded by a series of debilitating injuries that have severely depleted their rotation. Player availability is expected to be the dominant narrative once again in this pivotal matchup.
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report: A Roster in Crisis
The Dallas Mavericks are critically short-handed, particularly in the frontcourt and guard positions, which could prove disastrous against San Antonio's potent lineup.
Confirmed Out:
- Kyrie Irving (PG) - Continues recovery from left knee surgery and has been sidelined since early January.
- Dereck Lively II (C) - Ruled out for the entire season following right foot surgery, forcing Dwight Powell and Daniel Gafford to shoulder excessive minutes at center.
Doubtful:
- Khris Middleton (SF) - Listed as doubtful due to a trade-pending situation and is not anticipated to participate.
- Ryan Nembhard (PG) - The two-way guard is doubtful, further eroding depth behind D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Williams.
Questionable / Game-time Decision:
- Marvin Bagley III (PF/C) - Status is not injury-related but appears tied to ongoing roster decisions.
- Brandon Williams (PG) - Probable despite a right lower-leg contusion, though his minutes may be carefully managed.
This severe lack of depth at guard and center presents a monumental challenge against Spurs stars like Victor Wembanyama and potentially De’Aaron Fox.
San Antonio Spurs Injury Report: Managing Minor Setbacks
The San Antonio Spurs enjoy significantly better health but are monitoring a few key players ahead of the contest.
Confirmed Out:
- Lindy Waters III (SF) - A knee injury is expected to sideline him through early February.
Questionable:
- De’Aaron Fox (PG) - Dealing with mid-back soreness; if he plays, his workload will likely be monitored.
- Jeremy Sochan (SF/PF) - A quadriceps strain could impact San Antonio's defensive schemes.
- Luke Kornet (C) - Listed with ankle and leg issues; his absence might force the Spurs into smaller lineups around Wembanyama.
Despite these concerns, the core rotation featuring Victor Wembanyama, Fox, and Devin Vassell remains intact, solidifying San Antonio's status as the favorite.
Recent History and Season Snapshot
Dallas and San Antonio have already faced off twice in 2026, with the Spurs securing double-digit victories in both encounters. The most recent game on February 5, 2026, saw San Antonio triumph 135-123, powered by stellar performances.
Key Performances from February 5:
- Victor Wembanyama: 29 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 blocks.
- Cooper Flagg: 32 points, marking his fourth consecutive 30-point game.
- San Antonio shot an efficient 47.2% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range, while Dallas committed 15 costly turnovers.
Season Context:
- Spurs lead the season series 2-0.
- San Antonio holds a 35-17 record, placing them 2nd in the Western Conference.
- Dallas struggles at 19-32, languishing in 12th place.
This marks the third meeting of the season and the second on consecutive nights, testing both teams' resilience and depth.
Statistical Comparison: Highlighting the Disparity
A detailed look at team metrics reveals the significant gap between these two franchises this season.
- Record: Dallas 19-32 (.373) vs. San Antonio 35-17 (.673).
- Offensive Rating: Mavericks around 112-113 (below league average) vs. Spurs around 118-119 (a top-10 offense).
- Defensive Rating: Dallas roughly 117-118 (bottom-tier defense) vs. San Antonio roughly 112-113 (a top-10 defense).
- Three-Point Percentage: Mavericks ~34-35% (league-average) vs. Spurs ~37-38% (elite volume and efficiency).
San Antonio has demonstrated superior efficiency on both ends of the court. Dallas has particularly struggled defensively and has failed to generate consistent bench scoring in the absence of Irving and Lively.
Key Players to Watch
San Antonio Spurs:
- Victor Wembanyama - Averaging approximately 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. A dominant two-way force who impacted the previous game immensely.
- De’Aaron Fox - When healthy, contributes roughly 19-20 points and 6-7 assists. His explosive speed puts immense pressure on opposing defenses.
- Devin Vassell - A reliable scorer producing around 14-15 points per game, maintaining efficiency as an outside shooter.
Dallas Mavericks:
- Cooper Flagg - Averaging about 22-24 points, 7-8 rebounds, and 3-4 assists. He enters on a hot streak with four straight 30-point games.
- P.J. Washington - Posting roughly 15-16 points and 8 rebounds while often taking on the toughest defensive assignments.
- D’Angelo Russell - Contributing approximately 11-12 points and 5-6 assists, though he can be a defensive liability.
Game-Deciding Factors and Broader Implications
The availability of De’Aaron Fox looms large. If he plays, San Antonio's offense gains a dynamic primary ball-handler, making them exponentially harder to contain. If sidelined, the Spurs may lean more heavily on Wembanyama in half-court sets and look to Stephon Castle for additional playmaking.
For Dallas to have any chance, they will require another explosive scoring performance from Cooper Flagg and crucial support from role players like Naji Marshall. Consistent shot-making from multiple sources is non-negotiable to keep pace with San Antonio's high-powered attack.
This game carries significant weight for both franchises. For the Mavericks, it represents another opportunity to gauge their progress against an elite conference opponent. For the Spurs, it is a chance to solidify their standing and continue a successful stretch of basketball. The February 7 matchup starkly illustrates the current competitive divide between these teams and serves as a clear indicator of their respective positions this season.
