The NBA schedule is expected next week and several intriguing opponents stand out as possible opening-night matchups for Dallas.
DALLAS - The wait is nearly over.
Marc Stein reported Wednesday that the NBA's 2026-27 schedule is on track to be released in full next week, which means Mavericks fans will soon know how Dallas opens the season.
For the past three seasons, Dallas has opened against the San Antonio Spurs, a natural in-state rivalry the league has consistently scheduled early. That streak could end this season. Fresh off an NBA Finals appearance, San Antonio has moved into a different tier and the league is more likely to give the Spurs a marquee opening-night matchup against a contender such as Oklahoma City or defending champion New York. That leaves the Mavericks with several intriguing possibilities.
The Charlotte Hornets would continue one of the league's best young rivalries. Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, former Duke teammates, produced one of last season's most memorable matchups on Jan. 29. Flagg scored 49 points, the most by a teenager in NBA history, while Knueppel answered with 34 points and the game-winning free throws in a 123-121 Charlotte victory. Opening the season with a rematch would give Flagg an immediate chance to even the score.
The Minnesota Timberwolves present another compelling option. It would renew the 2024 Western Conference finals matchup while showcasing Minnesota's new-look roster after acquiring LaMelo Ball to pair with Anthony Edwards. A Ball and Edwards backcourt would provide an immediate test for Kyrie Irving in his first regular-season game since returning from a torn ACL.
The Washington Wizards offer another strong storyline. Flagg, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick, would face AJ Dybantsa, the 2026 No. 1 overall pick, in a matchup featuring two of the league's brightest young stars. The game would also mark Anthony Davis' first meeting with Dallas since the trade that sent him to Washington. Given the impact of that move on both franchises, the matchup would attract plenty of attention regardless of where it is played.
The league always has room for surprises. Flagg has quickly become one of the NBA's most marketable young players. Irving's return adds another layer of intrigue. A national television opener is still a realistic possibility if the league wants Dallas on a bigger stage. Whatever the NBA decides, the wait is almost over.
