Dusty May does not care if the Dallas Mavericks win their first preseason game in Macau. That is the surprising truth from the new head coach. He told NBC that the team will focus on growth instead of the scoreboard. “Anytime there’s an exhibition, we’ve always used it as an opportunity to grow and get better, look at different lineup combinations,” May said. This mindset flips the script on what fans usually expect from a team with championship hopes.
The game starts at 7am CT on Friday, October 9. It takes place at the Venetian Arena in China. This venue holds 14,000 people and has hosted huge events like Celine Dion concerts and Manny Pacquiao fights. The early hour makes it a real test for Central Time fans, but the stakes for the roster are much higher. Prior to this journey, the Mavericks engaged in roughly one week of training camp sessions. That short time means these games are the real classroom for May.
Testing the Starting Five
The biggest mystery is who will start next to Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving. May needs to find the best combinations before the regular season begins. He is not worried about the details of the final rotation yet. He wants to build a competitive spirit first. The league wants stars to play in these international contests, so Irving should see real run. He has not played since March 2025 due to a torn ACL. Watching a 34-year-old Irving shake off rust in a meaningless game is the main event for fans.
Rookies Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio De Larrea will also get a look. Their integration is just as fascinating as the veteran moves. The new offense and defense are still being installed by a coach coming from college basketball. Every possession is a learning experience for the whole group. May plans to layer in these new ideas slowly. He will worry about the fine details later on.
The Real Goal in Macau
The Mavericks need to find out what does not work. October is the perfect time to see awkward possessions and miscommunications. It is better to fix these issues now than in the regular season. The team has high expectations because of the talent on the roster. Irving is back, and the young core is ready to improve. But they must learn to play together first.
The team plays the Houston Rockets again on Sunday, October 11. That game starts two hours earlier than the first one. Fans can watch both matchups to see the full range of May’s experiments. The Rockets have their own stars like Kevin Durant and Fred VanVleet returning. This series gives Dallas a clear path to test its limits.
