Mavericks Finally Unleash Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving in New Starting Lineup

The Dallas Mavericks are finally rolling out the lineup everyone has been waiting for, and it only took an 0-2 start and a couple of defensive meltdowns to get here. According to Underdog NBA, Dallas is officially starting Kyrie Irving, Max Christie, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford on Friday night against the Indiana Pacers.

This is the exact kind of starting five that sends fantasy managers scrambling to their apps and sportsbooks adjusting their prop lines. We finally get to see the 2025 No. 1 overall pick share the floor with a returning Irving from the opening tip.

"Underdog NBA reported: 'Lineup alert: Mavs will start Irving, Christie, Flagg, Washington, Gafford on Friday.'"

Dallas desperately needs a spark after getting absolutely cooked in their first two games. Giving up 135 points to the Atlanta Hawks and 128 to the Houston Rockets is the kind of defensive performance that usually requires a public apology. Inserting Flagg into the starting unit alongside Washington and Gafford gives them a fighting chance at actually getting a stop.

Irving returning to the starting lineup is the real wild card here. He is coming off a major knee injury and currently averaging a very un-Kyrie 15 points and two assists. Expecting him to immediately look like the guy who can break down an entire defense by himself is like expecting a vintage sports car to win a drag race the day it rolls out of the shop. It might look great, but the engine needs a minute to warm up.

For anyone tracking the betting markets, Flagg’s usage rate is the number to watch tonight. If Irving is on a minutes restriction or just shaking off the rust, the rookie is going to have every opportunity to eat. We will see if this new group can finally put a win on the board for Dallas, or if the Pacers are about to hang another 130-point nightmare on them.