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The Big D Breakdown · Morning

Big D Breakdown: A Nembhard Homecoming Gets Complicated

Willie Green's hire still stands alone as camp nears and three starters sit out.

2026-10-09Preseason Tips Offvs. Rockets, first game
2026-10-21Regular Openerat Rockets
-10.9Nembhard Unit Net72 min, with Davis, last season
3Sidelined For CampLively, Irving, Aldama, day-to-day
By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · Wednesday, September 23

The lone confirmed move of the past ten days is Willie Green joining Dusty May's staff, while the freshest beat chatter is a possible Ryan Nembhard reunion that The Smoking Cuban says faces real obstacles. Dallas still has three regulars sidelined and no games played, with the preseason set to open October 9 against Houston.

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Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Green Hire Still Stands Alone

Ten days out from training camp, the one confirmed roster move remains Willie Green joining Dusty May's staff on September 16. The former Pelicans head coach adds NBA head-coaching experience to the bench, though his specific role has not been spelled out.

Nembhard Reunion Hits Two Snags

The freshest item on the beat is a possible Ryan Nembhard return: The Smoking Cuban reported the Hornets waived him and called a Mavericks reunion a homecoming facing two major obstacles. Dallas ran him at the point last season in a five-man unit with Anthony Davis, Naji Marshall, Max Christie and Cooper Flagg that posted a -10.9 net rating over 72 minutes, the weakest of the three lineups the team leaned on.

Camp Opens With Three Out

Santi Aldama, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II are all listed day-to-day with an estimated October 1 return, timed to have them ready as Dallas opens its preseason October 9 against Houston. The Mavericks then play Houston again October 11, host New Orleans October 14 and Atlanta October 16, before the regular-season opener October 21 at Houston.

Is Ryan Nembhard returning to the Mavericks?

Not confirmed. The Smoking Cuban reported the Hornets waived him and framed a Dallas reunion as facing two obstacles, not a completed move.

When do the Mavericks play their first game this season?

Dallas opens the preseason October 9 at home against Houston, then plays Houston again October 11 before hosting New Orleans and Atlanta. The regular-season opener is October 21 at Houston.

By the Mavericks Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.

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