Live updates: 2026 Dallas Mavericks Media Day

Morez Johnson Jr. and the Dallas Mavericks will meet the media ahead of the 2026-27 NBA season today at the American Airlines Center.

Welcome to our live coverage of the 2026 Dallas Mavericks Media Day!

Before they head to Macao to face the Houston Rockets in the

NBA China Games 2026

, Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Morez Johnson Jr. and the new-look Mavericks will meet with the press to discuss their expectations and thoughts for the upcoming season.

Watch the stream here.

Recap: 2026 Houston Rockets Media Day

What we know about the 2026 Dallas Mavericks Media Day:

Under Team President Masai Ujiri and new coach Dusty May, the Mavericks are looking to build on a strong first season by reigning Kia Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg.

Beset by injuries, the Mavericks went 26-56 in the last campaign, earning the ninth pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, which they used to take Johnson Jr., one of May’s national championship-winning players at Michigan.

Key storylines for the upcoming season include: Flagg’s development, May’s welcome to the NBA, the Mavericks’ transition to a size-heavy approach under Ujiri, the return of center Dereck Lively II, Irving’s injury status and the roles in a shifting Dallas rotation.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 12:17 p.m. ET

Lively II on his recovery

Fellow Duke alum Dereck Lively II said he had gained muscle and lost fat during his injury rehab, riding a bike, running on the treadmill and swimming to get his body right.

“It’s been a lot of focus, a lot of days in the gym. A lot of hard days working. There have been ups-and-downs, trying to keep my focus on what I can control, not worry on things I can’t control, and just having trust in my team.”

He’s slowly made his way back on the court, working on his shot, feel and enjoying the time with teammates and staff.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 12:06 p.m. ET

The Flagg flies higher

Cooper Flagg said he had spent the summer recovering and working on the aspects of his game, growing about an inch in the process to reach 6-foot-10 without shoes.

He built confidence in his handle, shot and finishing, and now seeks to carry an aggressive mindset into the season. Losing last year had been difficult, but allowed him to learn to adapt in real time.

Flagg said he was “indecisive” on taking shots at times during last season, noting he had passed up natural looks from beyond the 3-point arc, but had worked on it in the offseason.

As he enters his second season, Flagg said he felt more prepared and experienced, instead of going into each new scenario anew.

He shouted out his supporters in Maine, noting that they had buoyed him, and said he wants to play more golf with his teammates, describing it as a sport he loves and a chance to connect with others.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 12:03 p.m. ET

Irving on partnering with Flagg

New coach.

New duo.

Coach Dusty May, Cooper Flagg, and Kyrie Irving are ready for the upcoming season 😤

pic.twitter.com/h8NPNlkVLH

— NBA (@NBA)

September 25, 2026

Cooper Flagg has carried a lot as a young player, demonstrating wisdom beyond his years and an “old soul,” Irving said.

The 19-year-old is comfortable in any room he steps into and makes an impact on every possession, said Irving.

Irving said it’s very easy for them to play together, noting the natural chemistry between high-level basketball players.

“He’s a great human,” said Irving. “He’s going to lead this franchise into the future.”

Flagg mentioned that same ease as well, noting Kyrie’s status as one of the greats of the game.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:53 a.m. ET

Kyrie on his health

Irving noted there had been conversations about playing back-to-backs, but said there were no restrictions on his health going forward as he returns from a torn left ACL.

“Coming back from a traumatic injury is not the easiest thing to overcome, but no excuses. I was built for this at a very young age,” said Irving. “Being able to put it in perspective… getting past the mental hurdle of the fear, the scary moments, of ‘am I going to be back the same? Am I going to be better?'”

He said that the injury had allowed him to rejuvenate, reflect and learn about healing, noting that the physical toll of the game had been wearing on him before he went down.

In this stage, Irving said he could start “acting like my age, finally,” as he enters his 16th NBA season at age 34. The 18 months off should be a valuable rest, he said.

The chance to help coach his teammates came naturally, he said, but the season away was tough.

“The biggest learning lesson was: what does patience look like when you really want something?” Irving said. “Giving my teammates grace. We have a lot of young guys, including Cooper, that have a world of talent, but need that guidance, need that leadership, and I feel I tried to fill in that void as much as possible.”

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:49 a.m. ET

‘Finding guys that complement each other’

May said the coaching staff was working to blend the talents of the roster together.

He noted the importance of finding three-man units that work well together, allowing for flexibility as the team addresses the different styles and moments of NBA games.

Asked about Max Christie and Morez Johnson Jr., May emphasized that both bring versatility.

“I think we have a team that’s going to compete. I think we have a team that’s going to be extremely connected, and when our fans leave the building, they’re going to be even bigger fans, because of how relatable (they are), how they communicate with each other,” said May.

The keys to basketball at any level include finding groups that punch above their weight, winning on the margins and riding through the stress and demands of a long season, he said.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:41 a.m. ET

Dusty May on hiring Willie Green as lead assistant

Green, a Michigan native, hooked up with May over a round of golf in the summer. They have known each other for a few years, and the chemistry was there.

May credited Green’s efforts as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, noted he had led them to the Playoffs despite injury issues.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:35 a.m. ET

The team’s identity

Ujiri said the team sought to bring in players that fit with Coach Dusty May, creating a dedicated, team-focused structure around athletes that can attack the basketball and pass, surrounded by shooters.

“We like those big, long players that are going to attack the basket, offensive rebound. We like shooters — it’s where the game is going,” said Ujiri. “Passing becomes very important for us, and playing with each other, and a winning mentality. We want these players to have a winning mentality, and you try to get players that have that to fight in games, because it is a lot of games, and it changes every day. Teams do many different things, and we have to be creative, you have to bring players that actually suit that.”

The trip to Macao will help build the team camaraderie and learn together, Ujiri said, helping educate and enrich their lives.

May said early practices had been focused on learning about the players and watching them play in small groups. He dismissed the idea that the team had too many power forwards, noting the game has moved away from firm positions.

“We have size, we have length, we have good energy, so that naturally lends itself to playing in transition,” said May. “And also dominating the glass.”

The team’s rotation is still in flux, May said.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:32 a.m. ET

Patience with Lively II

Dereck Lively II hasn’t begun running on the court, but has shown good progress recovering from surgery on his right foot.

The team is happy with his effort and will demonstrate patience as he makes his way back, Ujiri said, noting Lively’s 7-foot-1 frame and size.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:29 a.m. ET

‘Generational talent’

Cooper Flagg shows uncommon maturity for a 19-year-old, Ujiri said, working out with the team all summer and dedicating himself in the gym.

“For a 19-year-old to think like this guy, play like this guy, I think the sky’s the limit. It’s generational talent that we’re blessed to have here,” said Ujiri. “That’s why we want to bring joy back here. We want him to grow the right way, have the right support in this organization, and play with that feeling, have nothing on his shoulders but basketball and winning… We’ve seen that start to happen in the summer.”

May credited Flagg’s ability to read defenses as a young player, but said his success will likely rely on his teammates, as is common in the game.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:26 a.m. ET

Masai on Kyrie’s status

Ujiri said Irving has “been nothing but a leader” for the team this offseason, including organizing multiple camps and practices for the squad.

Kyrie is “right there” in terms of health, but hasn’t played any competitive NBA basketball yet, Ujiri said.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 11:19 a.m. ET

Masai shares his vision

Team President Masai Ujiri opened Friday’s proceedings with some overarching thoughts on Mavericks basketball and the season ahead.

“We feel a new energy. We feel a brightness — not only with the team, not only with the people around, but just in general in basketball. We are trying to bring joy back to basketball in this city with this team. With Dusty, the coaching staff, they’ve been nothing but very engaging, participating with… players being around, in the city, workouts, the camps they’ve done,” said Ujiri. “There’s a vibe and an energy that we are all feeling, and we hope that it’s going to translate to good basketball, winning, the right attitude. What we want to do is show a lot of respect for the game, how the game is played — played with joy — and win.”

“We want to win in Dallas, and we will win in Dallas,” said Ujiri. “This is the beginning. Basketball is starting.”

SEPTEMBER 25 / 10:51 a.m. ET

Check out the conversations

The Dallas Mavericks’ YouTube account has you covered for all the insight from today’s media session. Watch the stream here.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 10:30 a.m. ET

Dusty brings the energy

Get a feel for the Mavericks’ new head coach with this mic’d up look at some summer fun in Dallas.

SEPTEMBER 25 / 10:15 a.m. ET

Raising the Flagg

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, entered the Association with aplomb.

He led the team in total points (1,473), rebounds (466), assists (316), and steals (84) in his first season, becoming the second rookie in league history to top his team in all four categories (Michael Jordan, 1984-85).

Along the way, he set the all-time scoring record for a teenager by

dropping 51 points

against the Orlando Magic on April 3, 2026.

Earlier in the season, before turning 19, Flagg also broke LeBron James’ scoring record for an 18-year-old by

putting up 42.

He was six days older than James when he took home Kia Rookie of the Year (19 years and 112 days to 19 years and 106 days), becoming the second-youngest player to earn the award.