The LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks matchup will feature three regular-season meetings during the 2026-27 NBA season. The first is scheduled for November 21, 2026, in Dallas, followed by meetings in Dallas on February 7, 2027, and at the Clippers’ Intuit Dome on March 22, 2027. The Clippers won three of four meetings in 2025-26.
Key Takeaways
- The first Clippers vs Mavericks meeting of 2026-27 is November 21, 2026, at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
- The teams are scheduled to meet three times during the 2026-27 regular season.
- LA won the 2025-26 season series 3-1.
- The Clippers enter the new season with a significantly different roster built around Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram.
- Dallas enters Year 2 of the Cooper Flagg era after the young forward won 2025-26 Rookie of the Year and made the All-Rookie First Team.
LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks: 2026-27 Schedule
The Clippers and Mavericks are set to meet three times in the 2026-27 regular season.
| Date | Matchup | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 21, 2026 | Clippers at Mavericks | American Airlines Center |
| Feb. 7, 2027 | Clippers at Mavericks | American Airlines Center |
| Mar. 22, 2027 | Mavericks at Clippers | Intuit Dome |
The first matchup comes on November 21 in Dallas. The game is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET according to the NBA’s game listing.
The February meeting also takes place in Dallas, while the March 22 game moves to Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Because the 2026-27 regular season begins on October 20, the November meeting will arrive relatively early in the season. That makes it a useful early test for two teams that have changed considerably since their previous season series.
What Happened in the 2025-26 Season Series?
The 2025-26 Clippers-Mavericks series was competitive in individual games, but Los Angeles finished with the clear overall advantage.
| Date | Result |
|---|---|
| Nov. 14, 2025 | Clippers 133, Mavericks 127, 2OT |
| Nov. 29, 2025 | Mavericks 114, Clippers 110 |
| Mar. 21, 2026 | Clippers 138, Mavericks 131, OT |
| Apr. 7, 2026 | Clippers 116, Mavericks 103 |
The Clippers finished 3-1 against Dallas. Across those four games, LA averaged 124.3 points per game.
The November 14 meeting was especially unusual. The Clippers won 133-127 after two overtimes. Their March 21 victory also needed extra time, with LA winning 138-131 behind 41 points and 11 assists from Darius Garland. Kawhi Leonard added 34 points in that game.
LA closed the season series with a 116-103 win on April 7. That result gave the Clippers three straight wins over Dallas after their November 29 loss.
However, those results should not be treated as a direct prediction for 2026-27. Both rosters have changed substantially.
How the Clippers Enter the New Season
The biggest story surrounding the Clippers is their roster transformation.
NBA.com described Los Angeles as a revamped team entering the 2026-27 season. Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram now headline the new-look roster. The Clippers also added players including Max Strus, Rui Hachimura and other young talent during the offseason.
That means the team that faces Dallas in November will look very different from the group that won the 2025-26 season series.
Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram
Garland gives Los Angeles a high-level offensive creator and playmaker. His impact against Dallas was already clear in March, when he produced 41 points and 11 assists in the overtime victory.
Brandon Ingram adds another scoring option to the Clippers’ new core. NBA.com noted that he arrived after an All-Star season in Toronto in which he averaged 21.5 points per game.
The combination gives LA a different offensive identity heading into the new season.
How the Mavericks Enter the New Season
Dallas enters 2026-27 with considerable attention on Cooper Flagg.
Flagg had an impressive rookie campaign, averaging 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He also won the 2025-26 Rookie of the Year award and earned unanimous All-Rookie First Team honors.
The Mavericks’ roster also includes Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Dereck Lively II, Santi Aldama and other young players. Dallas has emphasized its youth, with the team’s standard-contract roster averaging about 24.9 years old entering the new season.
That gives Dallas an interesting contrast with the Clippers. The Mavericks are developing a younger core, while Los Angeles has reshaped its roster around established offensive talent and newer pieces.
Clippers vs Mavericks: Key Matchup Factors
Guard Play
One of the most important battles should come in the backcourt.
Garland can create shots and distribute the ball, while Dallas has multiple guards capable of handling the ball and attacking defenses. Kyrie Irving’s availability and role will be particularly important for Dallas as the season develops.
Size and Rebounding
The Mavericks have several big bodies, including Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford. Dallas also has frontcourt players who can pressure the rim and compete on the glass.
The Clippers will need to limit second-chance opportunities while using their own size effectively.
Three-Point Shooting
Modern NBA games often turn on perimeter efficiency, and this matchup could be no different.
Dallas has added and developed young perimeter players, while Los Angeles has also changed its shooting personnel. The team that creates cleaner three-point opportunities without allowing too many open looks could gain a major advantage.
Experience vs. Youth
This may be the most interesting broader storyline.
Dallas has a young centerpiece in Flagg, who is entering his second NBA season. Los Angeles has a new roster that combines veteran experience with younger players.
That difference could become especially important late in close games.
Who Has the Recent Head-to-Head Edge?
The Clippers have the recent edge.
Los Angeles won three of four games against Dallas in 2025-26. The Clippers also won the final two meetings of that season, including a 138-131 overtime victory in Dallas and a 116-103 home victory.
The longer historical picture is much closer to Dallas. The Mavericks lead the all-time regular-season series according to historical head-to-head records, although the recent seasons have shifted toward Los Angeles.
Still, historical records have limited predictive value here because the two teams have undergone major personnel changes.
For the 2026-27 season, the better question is not simply who won last year. It is how quickly each new-look roster develops.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do the Clippers play the Mavericks?
The first Clippers vs Mavericks game of the 2026-27 regular season is scheduled for November 21, 2026, at American Airlines Center in Dallas. The game is listed for 8:00 p.m. ET.
Who won the 2025-26 Clippers vs Mavericks season series?
The Clippers won the 2025-26 season series 3-1. Dallas won the November 29 meeting, while Los Angeles won the other three games.
How many times do the Clippers and Mavericks play in 2026-27?
They are scheduled to play three regular-season games in 2026-27: November 21, February 7 and March 22. The first two are in Dallas, while the March meeting is in Inglewood.
Are the Clippers and Mavericks in the same conference?
Yes. Both teams compete in the Western Conference of the NBA, which makes their regular-season meetings particularly relevant to the Western Conference standings.
Who is the key player to watch?
Cooper Flagg is the most obvious player to watch for Dallas after his Rookie of the Year campaign. For Los Angeles, Darius Garland is an important player because of his scoring and playmaking ability. Garland already had a major impact against Dallas in the previous season, scoring 41 points with 11 assists in the March overtime win.
Conclusion
The LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks rivalry enters the 2026-27 season with a different look. Los Angeles won three of four meetings last season, but the Clippers have since rebuilt much of their roster around Darius Garland and Brandon Ingram. Dallas, meanwhile, is entering the next stage of the Cooper Flagg era after his Rookie of the Year campaign.
The first test comes November 21 in Dallas. With three meetings scheduled between the teams, the series should provide an interesting look at how two very different roster-building approaches perform during the new NBA season.
Daniel R. Foster is an experienced English language writer and editor who specializes in explaining commonly confused words and grammar nuances. With a strong passion for clarity in communication, he creates easy-to-understand comparisons that help learners, students, and professionals use English more confidently. His articles focus on accuracy, real-world examples, and practical usage.
