The Western Conference brings another high-stakes clash as the Dallas Mavericks travel to face the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center on January 6, 2026. Both teams are looking to shake off recent struggles and climb out of the lower rungs of the conference standings, but injuries, inconsistency, and roster shake-ups have left both squads searching for answers as the season nears its midpoint.
Coming into this matchup, the Mavericks hold a 13-23 record, sitting 11th in the West. Their most recent outing saw them notch an impressive 110-104 victory over the Houston Rockets, a win that snapped a four-game losing streak and offered a glimmer of hope for a team that’s gone just 3-7 over its last ten. That said, Dallas has been anything but road warriors lately, dropping seven straight away from home—a stat that can’t be ignored as they enter Sacramento’s house.
The Kings, meanwhile, have had an even rougher go. At 8-28, they’re 14th in the Western Conference and mired in a five-game losing streak. Over their last 13 contests, Sacramento has limped to a 2-11 record, with injuries and a lack of cohesion derailing any momentum. Their last meeting with the Mavericks, however, was a rare bright spot: on December 27, the Kings pulled off a 113-107 upset, led by a vintage Russell Westbrook performance—21 points and a historic assist that moved him past Magic Johnson for seventh all-time (10,169 assists). That win gave Sacramento a 1-0 lead in the season series, but they’ve struggled to replicate that magic since.
Both teams enter tonight’s game severely shorthanded. Dallas is missing several key contributors: Kyrie Irving (knee), Dereck Lively II (foot), and Dante Exum (knee) are all out, with P.J. Washington listed as doubtful due to an ankle sprain. Two-way players Moussa Cisse and Miles Kelly are also likely unavailable, leaving the Mavericks thin on depth. Sacramento’s injury woes are just as pronounced. Star center Domantas Sabonis is sidelined with a partial meniscus tear, and Keegan Murray, a major rebounding presence, is out with a left ankle sprain that will keep him off the court for several more weeks. Daeqwon Plowden is also unavailable, further depleting the Kings’ already shaky frontcourt.
For Dallas, the offensive burden falls squarely on the shoulders of rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and the ever-reliable Anthony Davis. Flagg, averaging 18.9 points per game, has shown flashes of brilliance but is still navigating the ups and downs of his first NBA campaign. Anthony Davis, now fully healthy after missing two games in late December, has been a force—he leads the team with 20.4 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, and his 26-point, 12-rebound effort against Houston is proof he’s rounding into form at just the right time. Davis’s rebounding will be especially crucial tonight: Sacramento ranks dead last in the NBA in rebound rate (47%), allowing opponents nearly 56 boards per contest, and with Sabonis and Murray both out, Davis could be in for a monster night on the glass.
“Anthony Davis is putting in regular minutes in his last two outings following a two-game hiatus at the end of December. The veteran center is coming off a stat-stuffing effort against the Houston Rockets, in which he scored 26 points and hauled in 12 rebounds,” noted Covers.com, predicting that Davis could easily surpass 11.5 rebounds tonight.
Dallas will also look to Naji Marshall, who’s been a steady contributor with 13.2 points and 4.6 rebounds, and Max Christie, who has stepped up with increased scoring in recent games. The Mavericks’ ability to push the pace—they play at the fifth-highest tempo in the league—could create more possessions and, with it, more rebounding opportunities for their bigs.
Sacramento, meanwhile, has to find a way to generate offense without their top rebounder and playmaker. Zach LaVine leads the Kings with 20 points per game, DeMar DeRozan adds 18, and Russell Westbrook chips in 14.6 points and 6.9 assists. But without Sabonis (12.3 rebounds per game), Sacramento’s already porous rebounding and interior defense are further exposed. The Kings’ reliance on isolation scoring from LaVine and DeRozan has led to stagnant offensive stretches, and their bottom-10 ranking in assists per game is a testament to the lack of ball movement. Coach Mike Brown has called for more team-oriented play, but with so many regulars sidelined, it’s easier said than done.
“Given their track record in this matchup, the Kings could be seen as live dogs throughout this game,” one NBA analyst observed, pointing to Sacramento’s recent upset win over Dallas. But the odds are stacked against them tonight: the Mavericks enter as 5.5-point road favorites, with a -205 moneyline. The Kings are +170 underdogs, and the total is set at 233.5 points, reflecting both teams’ defensive struggles and the likelihood of a fast-paced, high-possession game.
For those tracking player props, Anthony Davis is the name to watch. Projections have him easily clearing the 11.5 rebound mark, and with the Kings’ frontcourt in tatters, he could dominate both ends of the floor. Cooper Flagg is another X-factor—he went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the last meeting with Sacramento, and if he finds his rhythm from deep, the Mavericks’ offense could open up in a hurry. Russell Westbrook, always a triple-double threat, is expected to be active on the glass for Sacramento, with prop bets pegging him at over 5.5 rebounds.
From a tactical standpoint, Dallas’s defense could be the difference-maker. They rank among the league’s best in opponent shooting percentage, and if they can limit second-chance opportunities for the Kings, the Mavericks should be able to control the paint and dictate the tempo. Sacramento, on the other hand, will need a collective effort to keep pace and avoid another collapse on the boards. With both teams desperate for a win and rosters stretched thin, expect a gritty, unpredictable battle under the bright lights of Golden 1 Center.
Tip-off is set for 11:00 p.m. ET, with national coverage on NBC/Peacock and local broadcasts on KFAA. Streaming is available via Fubo and NBA League Pass for international viewers. With both teams hungry for momentum and several stars returning to form, tonight’s matchup promises drama, hustle, and maybe a few surprises.
As the Mavericks and Kings prepare to square off, all eyes are on Anthony Davis and Cooper Flagg to see if Dallas can finally snap their road skid, or if Sacramento can find a spark to end their own losing streak. One thing’s for sure: in a season full of ups and downs, this Western Conference showdown is wide open and far from decided.
