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Max Christie is quickly turning heads in Dallas as the Mavericks prepare to host the Miami Heat on Thursday, their final game before the All-Star break.
Initially viewed by many as a throw-in when Dallas shipped Luka Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, Christie has been anything but an afterthought. In his first five games with the Mavericks, the third-year guard is proving to be a critical piece, averaging 17 points on an impressive 50.9% shooting clip. Dallas has gone 3-1 over its last four games, and Christie’s impact has been undeniable.
Christie made his first start for the injury-riddled Mavericks on Wednesday, contributing 17 points, five rebounds, and four assists in a gritty 111-107 victory over the Warriors. His clutch free throws with 10.4 seconds remaining sealed the win, underscoring his growing confidence. He credits head coach Jason Kidd for helping him find his rhythm in Dallas.
“Having a coach that trusts you like that is huge,” Christie said. “Coach Kidd has shown a lot of faith in me, and it’s given me the confidence to step into big moments. It’s something I want to keep building on.”
Christie’s chemistry with Kyrie Irving has also been a highlight. Irving torched the Warriors with 42 points, including a season-high seven triples, but Christie was quick to point out that Kyrie’s contributions go beyond scoring.
“He’s an incredible talent, but it’s the intangibles—the hustle, the leadership—that really stand out,” Christie said. “You can feel his presence on and off the court, and it’s been like that since day one.”
The Mavericks have been navigating a laundry list of injuries, playing without Anthony Davis (left adductor strain), Daniel Gafford (right knee sprain), P.J. Washington (right ankle sprain), and Dante Exum (left Achilles tightness). With only one player taller than 6-foot-8 available on Wednesday, Dallas still found a way to grind out a win. Unfortunately for the Mavericks, those same players are expected to miss Thursday’s matchup against the Heat.
Miami, meanwhile, is stumbling into this game after a 115-101 loss to the Thunder, marking their third straight defeat. Bam Adebayo was a bright spot with 27 points and 15 rebounds, but the Heat crumbled in the fourth quarter as OKC unleashed a 24-0 run to blow the game open. Tyler Herro and Davion Mitchell chipped in 14 points each, but the team’s inconsistency has been a recurring issue.
“We’re seeing progress in some areas, but we’ve got to find a way to sustain it,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “There are no moral victories, but there are positives to build on. We’re trying to figure it out quickly.”
The Heat were without Duncan Robinson and Terry Rozier on Wednesday due to a stomach illness sweeping through the team. Their absence forced Miami to roll out its 13th different starting lineup of the season. However, Spoelstra hinted that newly acquired Davion Mitchell could be a long-term fit alongside Herro in the backcourt.
“Davion’s got that bulldog mentality,” Spoelstra said. “He’s a guy who wants to facilitate and make the right plays. We like how he and Tyler complement each other. Now we just need to see it develop.”
With both teams dealing with adversity, Thursday’s matchup will come down to which side can make the most of their available roster. For Dallas, Christie’s emergence could once again be the difference. For Miami, snapping the losing streak starts with finding consistency in their rotations.
