Overview
- Dallas announced a new starting five against the Pelicans: D’Angelo Russell, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg at small forward, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford, with Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving still out.
- Jason Kidd’s change ends the early-season experiment of rookie Flagg as primary ballhandler, positioning him in a more natural frontcourt role.
- The Mavericks entered the night ranked 30th in offensive rating at 103.6 points per 100 possessions, with poor three‑point accuracy and a weak assist‑to‑turnover profile drawing scrutiny.
- Klay Thompson, off to a slow start with limited minutes and subpar shooting splits, shifts to a sixth‑man role as the team seeks scoring punch from the bench.
- Public criticism had mounted, with Lou Williams and Chandler Parsons urging Dallas to start a veteran point guard such as Russell to organize the offense and improve shot creation for shooters.