Two teams enter the season carrying very different stories. The Oklahoma City Thunder are riding high after delivering the city its first championship in franchise history, and they’ve already started strong with a 135-114 preseason win over the Charlotte Hornets. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are still regrouping following the Luka Doncic trade debacle. They’ve added promising talent in Cooper Flagg to fill the void, but their marquee acquisition, Anthony Davis, has battled injuries, limiting him to just 9 games last season for Dallas.

Dallas will face the Thunder on October 6, 2025, marking their first preseason game of the year. With Davis’s performance under scrutiny, the Mavericks will expect him to set the tone for the season. Flagg and the supporting cast will also need to step up immediately, making this matchup an early indicator of how Dallas plans to navigate a Western Conference packed with contenders.

Is Anthony Davis playing tonight?

Anthony Davis is, in fact, set to play in tonight’s preseason matchup as fans want a first look at the All-Star big man in a Mavericks uniform post-surgery. On the media day, Davis himself emphasized his commitment to the team’s success, stating, “I’m here to help this team win, to bring that defensive presence we’ve been missing.” His arrival marks the end of his eye injury, which he sustained from teammate Daniel Gafford. However, questions linger about his readiness following eye surgery.

Physically, Davis is entering camp stronger and heavier, with a plan for a full 82-game schedule if everything goes well. “I try to go heavier because I lose about 10 to 12 pounds very quickly during camp. I’ve already lost five pounds with all the running and playing. I’m never concerned about that. I feel great. I’m moving great, I feel good,” he said.

Last season, Davis played only nine games for Dallas, averaging 20.0 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game on 46.1% shooting. Tonight’s game is a head start for him to fine-tune his game and test his new eyewear in real action. Here is the Dallas Mavericks’ injury report according to ESPN:

Following the surgery, Davis is now adjusting to protective eyewear after offseason eye surgery. The All-Star big man, who was not very eager to wear them on the court, was seen training with the glasses and says the adaptation has been smoother than expected. “I was working out with them all summer, so I’m starting to get used to them a little bit,” Davis said recently.

“Making shots, so they feel pretty good. They don’t fog up. They’re tight behind the ear so they don’t fall off. I guess the adjustment is having something on my face, I’m used to being able to do whatever I want, see. But the adjustment’s been pretty easy.” Davis even joked about durability: “I’m probably going to break several pairs this year for sure, but I have a lot of backups.” Showing this level of commitment to your team is yet another reason why he is considered so pivotal for the Mavs.

Where to watch Dallas Mavericks vs. OKC Thunder preseason game

Fans can watch tonight’s preseason game between Dallas and OKC on NBA TV, MavsTV, KFAA-29, and via streaming services like NBA League Pass and FanDuel Sports Network in participating regions. The match tips off at 7:30 p.m. Central Time (8:30 p.m. ET) at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth.

Anthony Davis gets the flexibility to move around the floor under Jason Kidd’s system, and he will try to utilize the space and time before the regular season kicks off. Key players to support him are rookie Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, and others as part of a deep rotation. The lineup is notably missing Kyrie Irving, as he is out for the season after tearing his ACL.

The training camp footage has already started hinting at the budding connection between Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis. In camp drills, the two have flashed smooth give-and-go actions and fluid rotations that suggest complementary rhythms on offense. Davis himself has praised Flagg’s defensive presence, noting, “He looks comfortable … he can block shots, and he can jump, he can rebound. He can defend one through five.” Will their chemistry translate on the hardwood? Only time will tell.