Take a look at the Western Conference standings and you'll see that the Lakers have their work cut out in order to achieve the goal of qualifying for the NBA Playoffs in 2023. A few games ahead of the Lakers are the Mavericks, who are poised for a late-season run of their own after adding Kyrie Irving ahead of the NBA's trade deadline.
At this juncture of the season, each game is crucial. Winners of two in a row, LA looks to continue to help itself as it opens a three-game road trip with a visit to Dallas, which is fresh off of a blowout victory on Thursday.
MORE: Breaking down the Lakers' postseason odds
There will be no shortage of star power on Sunday as Irving and Luka Doncic will look to hold off the Lakers star duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Dallas has taken each of the first two meetings from LA this season can clinch the season series with a win.
The Sporting News is tracking live updates from a crucial head-to-head meeting between two of the West's most talented teams.
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(All times Eastern)
4:27 p.m. — The Mavericks continue to roll and their lead is up to 27 points.
Dallas is shooting 10-for-17 from 3-point range while the Lakers have missed all 14 of their 3-point attempts. As a team, LA is shooting 8-for-36 from the field.
LeBron James leads the Lakers with 8 points on 3-for-10 shooting while Luka Doncic leads the Mavericks with 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. have scored nine points apiece and Christian Wood has added eight points.
Mavericks 48, Lakers 21.
4:19 p.m. — It's all Mavericks early on … and not a lot of Lakers.
Dallas' red-hot shooting continues into the second quarter as it's now 9 for 15 from deep while LA's now 0 for 12. The Mavericks' lead has ballooned to 20 points and Darvin Ham has signaled for a timeout.
Mavericks 38, Lakers 18. 9:29 remains in the second quarter.
4:12 p.m. — Defense turns into offense for the Mavericks, as a Tim Hardaway Jr. block results in a layup for Luka Doncic, who finishes the first quarter with a game-high 14 points.
Tim Hardaway Jr. turns it away and Luka beats the Q1 buzzer! @dallasmavs in front after the first on ABC! pic.twitter.com/8WxnRRfBMR — NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2023
Dallas is on fire from deep, where it has connected on seven of its 13 3-point attempts.
LA, on the other hand, is shooting 6-for-26 (23.1 percent) from the field, including 0-for-10 from the field. Anthony Davis leads the way with six points on 3-for-6 shooting while LeBron James has four points on 1-for-6 shooting.
4:05 p.m. — It's Luka Doncic's world and the Lakers are just living in it.
Doncic is up to 12 points in the first quarter and has connected on all three of his 3-point attempts. For the Lakers, Anthony Davis leads the way with six points.
Mavericks 20, Lakers 13 with 2:49 left in the first.
3:55 p.m. — Luka Doncic is up to a game-high seven points early thanks to two stepback 3s over Anthony Davis.
Mavericks 9, Lakers 8 with 6:49 remaining in the first.
LeBron James is 0-for-3 early on but has two points thanks to converting at the charity stripe.
3:10 p.m. — Starting for the Lakers: Dennis Schroder, Malik Beasley, LeBron James, Jarred Vanderbilt and Anthony Davis.
3:00 p.m. — Starting for Dallas: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Reggie Bullock, Justin Holiday and Dwight Powell.
2:20 p.m. — The Lakers will officially be without D'Angelo Russell, who suffered a sprained ankle in the team's win on Thursday. Expect Dennis Schroder to start in Russell's absence.
As expected, D’Angelo Russell is officially out today in Dallas due to the ankle sprain.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) February 26, 20232:10 p.m. — Star power, you say? LeBron James and Anthony Davis are live on location at the American Airlines Center.
On arrival pic.twitter.com/7XL1lKjSYH — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 26, 2023
In the United States, Lakers vs. Mavericks will be broadcast on ABC. Mark Jones will handle play-by-play duties alongside analyst Doris Burke. Katie George will report from the sidelines.
Fans in the United States can also stream Lakers vs. Mavericks with a subscription to Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the biggest games of the 2022-23 NBA season on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all regular season games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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Lakers vs. Mavericks from the American Airlines Center is scheduled to tip off around 3:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 26, which is 2:30 p.m. local time in Dallas.
Here are Los Angeles' next five games:
Date Opponent Time (ET) National TV Feb. 26 at Mavericks 3:30 p.m. ABC Feb. 28 at Grizzlies 7:30 p.m. TNT March 1 at Thunder 8 p.m. — March 3 vs. Timberwolves 10:30 p.m. — March 5 vs. Warriors 3:30 p.m. ABCHere are Dallas' next five games:
Date Opponent Time (ET) National TV Feb. 26 vs. Lakers 3:30 p.m. ABC Feb. 28 vs. Pacers 8:30 p.m. — March 2 vs. 76ers 7:30 p.m. TNT March 5 vs. Suns 1 p.m. ABC March 7 vs. Jazz 8:30 p.m. —
