Mavericks Face Hornets in MLK Day Showdown Amid Injury Woes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Dallas Mavericks and Charlotte Hornets will clash in a Martin Luther King Jr. Day matchup on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Spectrum Center. The game tips off at noon ET, with the Mavericks entering as 6-point favorites and an over/under set at 223.5 points.

The Mavericks (23-19) snapped a three-game losing streak with a 106-98 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. However, they remain without star guard Luka Doncic, who has been sidelined since Christmas Day with a calf strain. The Hornets (10-28), meanwhile, are riding a two-game win streak after a narrow 125-123 victory over the Chicago Bulls.

Dallas has struggled offensively in Doncic’s absence, with their offensive rating plummeting from 117.4 (fourth in the league) to 109.1 (fifth worst). Kyrie Irving has shouldered the scoring load, averaging 23.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game. Forward P.J. Washington has also contributed, averaging 13.1 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Charlotte, led by guard LaMelo Ball, has shown signs of life recently, winning three of their last four games. Ball ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring (29.5 points per game) and eighth in assists (7.5 per game). Center Mark Williams has been a force in the paint, averaging 14.5 points and 9.3 rebounds while shooting 64% from the field.

Injuries continue to plague both teams. For the Mavericks, Dereck Lively II (ankle) is questionable, while Dante Exum (wrist), Jaden Hardy (ankle), and Dwight Powell (hip) are out. The Hornets will be without Brandon Miller (wrist), Tre Mann (back), and Grant Williams (knee).

According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, the model leans toward the Under on the total points, projecting 220 combined points. It also indicates that one side of the spread hits in nearly 70% of simulations.

The game will be broadcast on NBATV, FanDuel Sports Network, and NBA League Pass. The Hornets will wear their purple Statement uniforms, while the Mavericks will don their white Association jerseys.