Jan 20, 2026
3 min read
4 things to know from the Dallas Mavericks win over the New York Knicks
Another day, another big win for the Dallas Mavericks as they defeated the New York Knicks 114-97 on Monday night.The game is on the list of NBA games honoring Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. and started earlier than normal and the Knicks did not receive an invitation.
4 things to know from the Dallas Mavericks' 114-97 win over the New York Knicks
The Mavericks dominated the Knicks on Monday night in New York
The Mavericks played one of their best games of the season from the start, continuing to slide down the Eastern Conference standings and defeating the Knicks in the finals.The transition points and 3-point advantage pushed the Mavericks to a very good offensive game, as they were able to control their pace and athleticism to outscore the Knicks.
the clock fell
Is it a bit sad that Moussa Cisse is the Mavericks' best player?
Did he show real talent?
The two-way freshman had perhaps his best game as a pro, contributing 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocks.His effort was a joy to watch, and he brings real physical tools.His attack has not been criticized, as his ability to run vertically provides value in select situations.The Mavericks have plenty of spots, Cisse could be a key player if the trade goes through.
Mad Max Christie shines again
There is no player on the Mavericks who has raised his stock more than Max Christy this season.His development as a 3-point shooter has completely changed my view of him as a player.Instead of just being a good defender and athlete, he has become a legitimate offensive weapon.
Christie is shooting over 45 percent from three this season, and his volume is only going up.
His old style as a player has become more important in the last few years, as the days of pure triple D players are over.Christie's combination of shooting, defending and creating makes him a good modern player.This promotion has made him an important asset to the team's future going forward, as he is the perfect partner in the Cooper Flag crime.
The Mavericks' winning streak hits
If there's one thing the Mavericks do at an elite level, it's lead in transition.
That was more evident than in this game, when the Mavericks scored 32 fast break points to the Knicks' just four.This type of simple offense is invaluable to this team as they can struggle so hard to generate consistent offense.Especially against older, slower teams that often don't have the drive or energy that Maverick plays with.running back to play defense.
The passing of the half was an even greater factor in the success of the undefeated.This worked because the Mavericks created a bad matchup, often Jalen Brunson had to guard Naji Marshall or Cooper Flagg, which did not go well for the Knicks.It's that kind of quick burst that has won Dallas games against contenders that the Mavericks often treat with no respect.
Nix is a failed experiment
Even though this is a Mavericks site, I have to comment on this Knicks team because they continue to play terrible basketball.The biggest concern with the Knicks has been the defensive pairing of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, which has been deployed over the last few games.
This matchup in particular was an underwhelming performance from both, as Brunson was relentlessly pounded by Mavericks' wings.His size and lack of effort is an incredibly difficult combination to build around, as a weak link at that weight is usually a death sentence for a competitor.
Towns wasn't too bad, because not only was he completely off the edge, but he was on a mission to put as much heat on Dwight Powell as he could.At this point, I don't think a team built around Towns and Brunson can win, no matter how many double-edged swords surround them.
