The Mavericks will play a preseason game next fall in the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi, Marc Stein reports in a Substack story.
Dallas will also play a game against perennial Spanish League power Real Madrid during the overseas journey. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban wanted to arrange a preseason game in Madrid for Luka Doncic, who played for Real Madrid until he became an NBA lottery selection.
We have more from the Southwest Division:
- The Mavericks can’t afford to lose impending free agent Christian Wood like they did this past summer when Jalen Brunson walked, Tim Cato and Kelly Iko of The Athletic opine. An extension might be a good move for both parties, though Cato is somewhat pessimistic they can find middle ground. No team has made a long-term commitment to Wood during his career, Cato notes.
- The Rockets have lost eight of their last nine but they have shown some improvement this season, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. Kevin Porter Jr., Kenyon Martin Jr., Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun have shown some individual growth. Usman Garuba, who missed most of his rookie season with injuries and illness, is the team’s plus/minus leader.
- Devin Vassell returned to action on Monday for the Spurs, Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News tweets. He missed the previous two games due to soreness in his left knee.