November 11, 2026 at 8:34 AM UTC

Pregame Analysis

Irving and Dallas' Rebounding Edge Face a Shorthanded Minnesota

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Dallas arrives with momentum and a hot Kyrie Irving while Minnesota is without Anthony Edwards.

This page is the pregame analysis. The box score is the main page for the game, and the matchup history collects every meeting between these teams.

The biggest swing in this game is Minnesota's injury report. Anthony Edwards is out with a knee injury, and Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles) and Enrique Freeman are out as well. Losing the Timberwolves' top star, plus two more rotation options, leaves them with fewer ways to create offense against a Dallas team that is gaining confidence.

The Mavericks' best answer to any Minnesota defensive scheme is Kyrie Irving. He is back from a torn ACL and playing near a 50/40/90 level. In the win over Indiana he scored 35 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including 7-of-10 from three. With Edwards sidelined, Irving's shotmaking could decide whether Minnesota can keep pace in a possession-by-possession game.

Dallas also looks sturdier than it did a week ago. After losses to Sacramento and San Antonio, the Mavericks routed Brooklyn 130-93, and the turnaround lines up with Santi Aldama returning to the starting lineup. His presence has coincided with a clear gain on the offensive glass. Against Utah, Dallas won the offensive rebounding battle 21-8 and held a 21-5 edge in second-chance points, a notable fix for a team that ranked 22nd in offensive rebounding last season. Extra possessions matter most against a depleted opponent.

Dallas is not without questions. Sergio De Larrea (knee sprain) and Tarik Biberovic remain out, which thins the backcourt and puts more load on the other guards. Dusty May's rotations have also shifted from game to game, with Max Christie falling out after starting the first seven games. Even so, Dallas has the more reliable top-end scoring and a measurable rebounding advantage. I expect Irving to keep the offense efficient and the Mavericks to earn enough second chances to hold off a shorthanded Minnesota team.

Prediction: Mavericks 116, Timberwolves 107.

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