The Dallas Mavericks host the Atlanta Hawks in an NBA Preseason game on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. EDT (7 p.m. local time at the arena), with live coverage in the United States on KFAA, WANF, WPCH.2 (Peachtree Sports Network), NBA League Pass and MavsTV.
Atlanta enters the matchup with a 3-1 record in the 2026-27 preseason, following a 132-123 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on October 5 and consecutive wins over the San Antonio Spurs (123-116 on October 8), Indiana Pacers (119-117 on October 10) and Oklahoma City Thunder (113-110 on October 12). Dallas holds a 1-2 preseason mark after splitting two games against the Houston Rockets in Macau, China — losing 135-117 on October 9 and winning 132-115 on October 11 — before falling at home to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday (14). In the 2025-26 regular season, the Hawks finished sixth in the Eastern Conference at 46-36 and were eliminated 4-2 by the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs, while the Mavericks placed 12th in the Western Conference at 26-56, missing the postseason. In the last official meeting between the franchises on March 18, 2026, Atlanta defeated Dallas 135-120.
Where to watch Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks live
Viewers in the United States have five television and streaming options to follow the preseason contest between the Mavericks and the Hawks.
- KFAA (over-the-air TV)
- WANF (over-the-air TV)
- WPCH.2 / Peachtree Sports Network (over-the-air TV)
- NBA League Pass (streaming)
- MavsTV (streaming)
Start time and venue for Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
- Date: Friday, October 16, 2026 (16/10/2026)
- Time: 8 p.m. EDT (20:00 America/New_York) / 7 p.m. local time at the arena (19:00 America/Chicago)
- Venue: American Airlines Center, in Dallas, Texas
- Competition: NBA (North American basketball league) — Preseason
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How the Dallas Mavericks arrive
Head coach Dusty May is in his debut NBA season after being hired on June 23, 2026, to replace Jason Kidd, who departed on May 19, 2026. Working alongside lead assistant Willie Green, May oversees a roster reshaped by president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri around forward Cooper Flagg — the reigning Rookie of the Year, who averaged 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game in 2025-26 — and guard Kyrie Irving, who returned to action in the preseason following knee surgery and scored 17 points in 22 minutes against Houston on October 11.
During the 2026 offseason, Dallas acquired French forward Zaccharie Risacher, the first overall pick in the 2024 Draft, from Atlanta in a three-team trade that also involved the Oklahoma City Thunder. May has not set a permanent starting lineup for Friday’s game, having started Naji Marshall, Christie, Risacher, Flagg and rookie Morez Johnson Jr. (the ninth pick in the 2026 Draft) in the preseason opener. “Obviously, I’m on social media. I’ve seen about the first team and second team. We haven’t really settled into that now. We’re more or less looking at two- and three-man lineup combinations, one- and five-man lineup combinations,” said Dusty May, head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. On the preseason injury report, the Mavericks have listed Dereck Lively II (foot surgery), P.J. Washington (ankle sprain), Marcus Sasser (hip) and Caleb Martin (illness) as day-to-day.
How the Atlanta Hawks arrive
Led by head coach Quin Snyder, who renewed his contract in June 2026, and a staff featuring assistants Igor Kokoskov, Bryan Bailey, Antonio Lang, Jason Love and consultant Ettore Messina, the Hawks are preparing for their first full campaign following the departure of Trae Young. Under president of basketball operations Onsi Saleh, the team is anchored by All-Star forward Jalen Johnson, who led Atlanta in the 2025-26 season with averages of 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game.
While Snyder has not announced a definitive starting five for Friday due to preseason player rotation, the projected base lineup features Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, reigning Most Improved Player Nickeil Alexander-Walker, CJ McCollum and Dyson Daniels. The rotation also includes Aaron Wiggins, rookie Kingston Flemings (eighth pick in the 2026 Draft), and offseason trade acquisitions Luguentz Dort and Ryan Nembhard. On the injury report, Atlanta has listed Henri Veesaar as out with a knee issue, while Luguentz Dort (knee contusion), Keshon Gilbert (knee tendinitis), Mouhamed Gueye (foot fracture), Jalen Johnson (rest) and Onyeka Okongwu (rest) have been on day-to-day monitoring throughout the preseason.
Read also: Houston Rockets vs Oklahoma City Thunder: where to watch live and start time (NBA, Oct 15)
Officiating for Dallas Mavericks vs Atlanta Hawks
The NBA has not yet released the official three-referee crew assignment for the game, as the league announces officiating schedules on the morning of game day.
Head-to-head history and next games for Dallas Mavericks and Atlanta Hawks
In regular-season history, the Atlanta Hawks hold a 49-41 advantage over the Dallas Mavericks across 90 games played, including a two-game sweep in the 2025-26 season with a 124-112 home win on March 10, 2026, and the 135-120 road victory in Dallas eight days later. Both teams open the 2026-27 NBA regular season on the road on Wednesday (21), when the Atlanta Hawks face the Orlando Magic and the Dallas Mavericks play the Houston Rockets.
