Both at the Bottom, Both Desperate: Dallas and Indiana Seek Breakthrough Victory
Two games into the 2025–26 NBA season, both the Dallas Mavericks and the Indiana Pacers find themselves in unfamiliar territory, with zero wins and at the bottom of their respective conferences. Both teams have looked out of sync on both ends of the floor. This game on Wednesday represents more than just a chance to get in the win column. It’s a test of identity for two franchises trying to prove their slow starts don’t define their seasons.
The Mavericks entered the season with optimism surrounding rookie forward Cooper Flagg and the new-look roster built around Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell. Yet through two games, Dallas has struggled to establish a cohesive identity. Defensive mistakes and cold shooting stretches have cost them winnable moments, and the frustration is beginning to build. This is met with emphasis on energy and communication, particularly in closing quarters.
Indiana is in a similar spot thus far. The Pacers’ offense has kept up with opponents but has yet to find a groove. Without guard Tyrese Haliburton, they lose star power and face a struggle to generate consistent scoring. Their 0-2 record mirrors Dallas’ not just in numbers, but in the nature of the losses with close games that slipped away late.
Before this matchup, Dallas faces a 1-1 Toronto Raptors team on Sunday and Oklahoma City on Monday, while Indiana takes on the 1-1 Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday. These contests will test how quickly these squads can make adjustments before their Wednesday showdown. For Dallas, protecting home court against Toronto and the Thunder could help build momentum and confidence heading into the Pacers game. Indiana, on the other hand, will be fighting fatigue from back-to-back road matchups.
Dallas needs to rediscover its defensive backbone. Through two games, opponents have exposed gaps in transition coverage and exploited mismatches inside. Cooper Flagg’s energy and versatility have been lackluster so far, but the team’s chemistry around him still needs time to develop as well. Head coach Jason Kidd has stressed that every possession matters and that starts with setting a tone on defense rather than playing from behind.
The Pacers need to find a rhythm and an offensive identity without their floor general. In Haliburton’s absence, Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin have been tasked with carrying the offensive load and have been successful so far in that endeavor. With both teams desperate to avoid a start with no wins, expect a physical and high-effort game where grit and intensity outweigh polished offenses. These early-season struggles can linger if unchecked, and this matchup allows for either side to reset their trajectory. The team that corrects its fundamentals and embraces urgency will likely win. Dallas will look to prove their team is worth the hype and not settle for the bottom of the table. For Indiana, they look to mimic last season’s success and rediscover their offensive rhythm that sent them to the NBA Finals last year.
