Playoff season hits different, no matter the sport. And when athletes from one league show up to back their city’s team in another, it’s the kind of crossover moment that just elevates the whole vibe. That’s exactly what went down at a pivotal Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals, where the Dallas Stars were locked in against the Edmonton Oilers. In the building, soaking up the energy and sparking some courtside-to-rinkside buzz? Dallas Mavericks’ Brandon Williams and Max Christie, showing some love to the city.

But they weren’t just there as casual fans—they were mic’d up, giving everyone an unfiltered, rinkside experience. And Christie? He let loose a take on Oilers superstar Connor McDavid that’s guaranteed to stir up some cross-sport debate. What makes it even cooler is the context—Christie and Williams are part of the young, promising core the Mavericks are building around. So seeing them take a breather from their own grind to show up for the Dallas Stars? That’s more than just a cameo.

Their conversation inevitably turned to McDavid’s brilliance. Christie, clearly in awe, didn’t hold back. “Connor McDavid is cold, man,” he started. Brandon Williams, maybe not as deep into the hockey GOAT debates, asked, “Is he like, one of their best players?” And that’s exactly when his teammate dropped the bomb. “You can argue he is the goat of hockey,” Christie declared. “Like Wayne Gretzky, and yeah? Like top 5 all time. I swear to god.”

Then, as if on cue to prove Christie’s point, McDavid did something spectacular on the ice and scored. The reaction from the Mavs duo was pure, unadulterated fan excitement. Both of them jumped up. “He’s so cold, bro!” Christie exclaimed. Williams, equally impressed by the sheer speed and skill, added, “How is he so fast? Like he was gone, bro.” Even though they were there supporting the Dallas Stars, McDavid’s brilliance was undeniable.

Notably, McDavid etched his name into NHL history yet again, becoming the second-fastest player ever to reach 100 career playoff assists, hitting that milestone in just 90 games, behind Wayne Gretzky who achieved the feat in 70 games. What’s more? The three-time Hart Trophy winner has already racked up six goals, 20 assists and 26 points in 16 playoff games so far. Additionally, during the Oilers’ Game 7 vs the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final last year, McDavid had already broken Gretzky’s record (31) for most assists in a single postseason with 34. 

As for this game, the captain stepped up exactly at the right moment and assisted for the opening goal, while scoring the winning one, securing a 6-3 victory. So, naturally, Christie, watching his city’s team get scored on by this hockey god, admitted, “That hurt my soul a little bit,” with Williams agreeing, “That hurt, I ain’t gonna lie.” It’s that kind of jaw-dropping talent from the captain that can make even rival fans just shake their heads in disbelief.

Max Christie and Brandon Williams might have been enjoying a brief escape watching the Dallas Stars, but back in their own basketball world, things for the Dallas Mavericks are anything but chill.

Mavs’ Offseason: More drama than a triple overtime game!

First off, the basketball gods threw them a massive, unexpected bone: the Maverick won the 2025 NBA Draft Lottery! After a season that saw them trade away their superstar Luka Dončić to the Lakers (a move that still has a big chunk of the fanbase fuming and confused), they lucked into the No. 1 overall pick. And who’s sitting there at the top of the draft conversation? Cooper Flagg. So, maybe Dallas is about to add one of the most hyped young talents in years to a roster that’s in complete flux. Talk about a shakeup!

But here’s where the drama really kicks into high gear, and it involves that franchise-altering Dončić trade. Mavericks CEO Rick Welts recently dropped an absolute bombshell at a Wall Street Journal event, revealing he was shockingly out of the loop on the deal that sent their superstar packing. Welts said team owner Patrick Dumont called him while he was in bed on February 1st, 2025, to break the news.

Welts was so stunned, his reaction was, “I’m like, ‘Who is this? Who is this really?’ So yeah, I found out about an hour before you did.” An hour! The CEO finding out about a trade of that magnitude just an hour before the public? That definitely doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence as they head into a crucial draft with the top pick.

And if that wasn’t enough to make Mavs fans sweat, there’s also the news that the team is seriously planning their exit from the American Airlines Center when their lease expires in 2031. Moving arenas is a massive undertaking, a huge distraction, and it just adds another layer of uncertainty to what the future of this franchise even looks like, or where it’ll be.

So where do guys like Brandon Williams and Max Christie fit into all this? They’re young, talented pieces who were supposed to complement Luka Doncic in a supporting role. But now? With Cooper Flagg potentially on the way, and veterans like Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis still on the roster, the Mavs are a riddle wrapped in a roster crunch.

Around the league, executives are calling it one of the more unpredictable situations heading into the offseason. One thing’s for sure: Dallas is about to get very interesting. Very fast.