For the first time this season, the Milwaukee Bucks will get their first look at Copper Flagg, as they’ll travel to Big D to take on the Dallas Mavericks. It’s the second night of a home-road back-to-back, and Milwaukee is seeking to course-correct after falling short late to Houston yesterday afternoon. The Bucks have won six straight against the Mavericks.
The Bucks have hit a bit of a bumpy road since starting the season 4-1. They lost two very winnable games against the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets at home. It’s been overshadowed by their worst performance of the season, a 128-100 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Giannis has been his usual great self, but it’s been a rotating cast around him. Myles Turner had his best offensive game as a Buck this past Friday, scoring 23 points in their win over the Bulls in the NBA Cup.
It’s been a nightmare start to the season for the Dallas Mavericks. They currently sit at 3-7 and, at points, have had one of the worst offenses in NBA history. Their defense, however, is a top-five unit. After a 2-3 start, they lost four straight and finally won their first November game on Saturday in Washington. Half of the time, they’ve been without star big Anthony Davis, who has looked a step slower this year, so P.J. Washington and Flagg have had to pick up the slack. The 2025 first overall pick has often operated—without stellar results—as a point guard, with D’Angelo Russell only entering the starting lineup recently. That came in place of Klay Thompson, who is shooting a career-worst 31.6% from the field and 26.4% from deep.
Being the second game of a back-to-back, the Bucks didn’t submit their injury report until this afternoon. Tauren Prince (herniated disc in the neck) and Kevin Porter Jr. (right knee meniscus repair) continue to be out, while Giannis is still listed as probable (left knee patellar tendinopathy).
The Mavericks have five players total on their injury sheet. Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) is, of course, out, as is Dante Exum, who is listed with right knee injury management. Center Dereck Lively is doubtful with a right knee sprain. Two other prominent bigs in Anthony Davis (left calf strain) and Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain) are questionable to play.
With Taurean Prince confirmed to be out for a substantial amount of time, all eyes should be on Kyle Kuzma. He’s already averaging the sixth most minutes for the Bucks, and that should continue to go up, with Kuzma being asked to fill in at small forward in some stretches. We’ll also see if, with another bigger team like the Mavericks, the Bucks decide to start Kuzma to match up better on defense.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CST on FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin.
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