Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans Starting Lineups (Dec. 22) | 2025-26 NBA Season 

The Dallas Mavericks will try to bounce back from a tough 121-114 loss against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday. They will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, a team that has caused trouble for several opponents recently, including the Houston Rockets.

Six Mavericks players scored in double digits against the 76ers but were unable to manage a win on the road. It’s been almost a month since the Mavericks lost back-to-back games, as they have been able to dabble between wins and losses.

They will try to muster a response with the help of their top player, Anthony Davis, who has been averaging 19.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 13 games. The presence of Davis has also helped rookie Cooper Flagg, who has been playing some of the best basketball of his career.

New Orleans, on the other hand, seems to be rounding back into form despite languishing at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. They are on their season’s best four-game winning streak. Derik Queen has been a big reason for the team’s turnaround this season. The rookie center pairing with Zion Williamson and Jeremiah Fears has been a key piece of the puzzle and has unlocked a new level offensively for the Pelicans.

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And Jordan Poole’s return from a long absence has also sparked an uptick during this four-game winning run, and they’ll look to keep that momentum going and climb up the standings.

This is the third of the four meetings scheduled between the two teams, with each side winning one apiece.

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Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans Starting Lineups and Depth Charts (Dec. 22)

Dallas Mavericks Starting Lineup and Depth Chart

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd is dealing with several injury concerns ahead of the showdown, with six players listed on the injury report, including Cooper Flagg. The rookie, who just turned 19, is questionable with a back contusion.

Flagg reportedly injured his back in Friday’s game against the 76ers, and his status will be determined closer to tipoff. Kidd could opt to sit him for precautionary reasons with Dallas set to face the Denver Nuggets next, followed by a Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors.

Klay Thompson is also questionable as he continues to manage knee soreness. He carried the same designation in the previous game but played 18 minutes and scored 10 points.

Max Christie is questionable with an illness. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II remains out following foot surgery, along with Kyrie Irving (knee) and Dante Exum (knee).

Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg and Ryan Nembhard are expected to be the starters. If Flagg sits out, D’Angelo Russell would get the nod.

New Orleans Pelicans Starting Lineup and Depth Chart

The Pelicans’ injury report is significantly cleaner, with only two players listed. Herbert Jones, who exited Saturday’s game against the Indiana Pacers after taking a hard hit to the face, is listed as questionable with a migraine. He is expected to be re-evaluated before tipoff to determine his status. Dejounte Murray, on the other hand, continues to recover from an Achilles injury.

Otherwise, the Pelicans are relatively healthy and are expected to stick with the lineup that has worked well during their four-game winning streak, with Zion Williamson coming off the bench.

Herbert Jones, Trey Murphy III, Derik Queen, Saddiq Bey and Jeremiah Fears are expected to start. If Jones doesn’t go, expect Williamson or Bryce McGowens to get the start.

Edited by Mervin LR