The Dallas Mavericks have shown signs of improvement amid a challenging season, climbing one spot to No. 25 in the latest NBA power rankings following a key win over the Houston Rockets. This victory ended a four-game losing streak and highlighted defensive progress. As they enter the Cooper Flagg era, the team faces a tough Western Conference road trip ahead.
The Dallas Mavericks are navigating a difficult 2025-26 season marked by injuries and tough competition, but recent developments offer a glimmer of hope. In NBA.com's latest power rankings, writer John Schuhmann elevated the Mavericks to No. 25, up from the previous week, crediting their performance in a home win against the Houston Rockets over the weekend.
Anthony Davis, who missed just two games due to injury, returned strongly and led the Mavericks with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and five blocks in that contest. Schuhmann noted, "Anthony Davis missed only two games with his latest injury, played 76 total minutes over his first two games back, and led the Mavs to a win over the Rockets on Saturday."
The victory snapped a four-game skid and exposed the Rockets' season-worst offensive output, as they scored 104 points on 101 possessions. Despite ranking 3-8 against other sub-.500 Western Conference teams, the Mavericks have climbed into the top 10 defensively league-wide, boasting the sixth-largest improvement from last season. Much of this stems from a significant drop in opponents' three-point shooting, though its longevity remains to be seen.
Teams trailing the Mavericks in the rankings include the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Sacramento Kings, and Indiana Pacers. Looking ahead, Dallas embarks on a three-game Western road trip starting Tuesday, beginning with the Kings at Golden 1 Center. Tip-off is set for 10:00 p.m. CT, broadcast on NBC or streamable via Peacock.
This progress aligns with the start of the Cooper Flagg era, as the Mavericks aim to build momentum into January.