Nothing new broke overnight, but the calendar just got real: Dallas opens the preseason October 9 against Houston and the regular season October 21 at the Rockets. All three players on the injury list are pointed at an October 1 return, which would have them ready before either tips off.
Three Deadlines, One Date
Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving and Santi Aldama are each listed day-to-day with an estimated return of October 1, well ahead of the preseason opener. Lively is working back from a right foot and leg issue, Irving from his left knee, and Aldama from his right knee, and all three have the same target on the calendar.
The Schedule Ahead
Dallas opens the preseason October 9 against Houston, plays the Rockets again October 11, then hosts New Orleans October 14 and Atlanta October 16. The regular season opens October 21 at Houston, meaning the Mavericks get four preseason looks to sort out who plays alongside Cooper Flagg before it counts.
New Coach, Old Number
Dusty May inherits a team that finished 26-56 last season with a -5.2 net rating, and he takes over selling the same defense-first pitch general manager Nico Harrison used to justify trading Luka Doncic. Whether that identity shows up on the floor once Irving, Lively and Aldama are actually cleared is the question camp has not answered yet.
When do the Mavericks play their first preseason game?
Dallas opens the preseason October 9, 2026 against the Rockets.
Are Kyrie Irving, Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama expected back for the season opener?
All three are listed day-to-day with an estimated return of October 1, 2026, which is before Dallas opens the regular season October 21 at Houston.
More from The Big D Breakdown
all Mavericks news →
Morning · Mon, Sep 14Mavericks Camp: A Five-Man Logjam at the Five
Player focus · Sun, Sep 13Cooper Flagg's Next Step: Volume Is Set, Efficiency Isn't
Cap watch · Sun, Sep 13Cap Watch: Mavericks Walk the Tax Line With Picks Pledged Away
Morning · Sun, Sep 13Mavericks Enter Camp With Three Names on the Injury List