Pacers and Mavericks Face Off in Tanking Battle

Both teams look to lose as they continue their pursuit of a higher draft pick

Feb. 22, 2026 at 10:08pm

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The Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks will face off in a matchup between two teams that would benefit most from losing games for the remainder of the season. The Pacers have continued their tanking ways at home, while the Mavericks have also struggled, dropping all six of their February games and losing 10 straight. Both teams will be missing key players, with the Pacers ruling out Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, and others, while the Mavericks will be without Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.

Why it matters

The subject of tanking in the NBA has been a major source of conversation and criticism over the past few weeks, and these two teams are among the ones that would benefit the most from losing games down the stretch. The Pacers and Mavericks are both looking to secure a higher draft pick, and this matchup represents an opportunity for both teams to potentially improve their lottery odds.

The details

The Pacers added center Ivica Zubac from the L.A. Clippers via trade for Bennedict Mathurin and a couple first-round picks just before the trade deadline, but Zubac has been ruled out indefinitely. The Mavericks, on the other hand, have struggled mightily, dropping all six of their February games and losing 10 straight. Both teams will be missing key players, with the Pacers ruling out Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, and others, while the Mavericks will be without Cooper Flagg and Kyrie Irving.

  • The Pacers and Mavericks last played on October 29, 2025, when Dallas snapped a four-game skid in the series by winning an early-season matchup 107-105.
  • The Pacers won the previous four games in the series, averaging nearly 135 points per game in the victories.

The players

Pascal Siakam

A forward for the Indiana Pacers who has been cleared to play after dealing with a left hamstring injury.

Andrew Nembhard

A guard for the Indiana Pacers who has been cleared to play after dealing with a lower back injury.

Cooper Flagg

A player for the Dallas Mavericks who will not play due to a left midfoot sprain.

Kyrie Irving

A guard for the Dallas Mavericks who will not play due to a left knee surgery.

Ivica Zubac

A center for the Indiana Pacers who was acquired via trade but has been ruled out indefinitely due to a left ankle sprain.

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The takeaway

This matchup between the Pacers and Mavericks highlights the ongoing debate around tanking in the NBA, as both teams look to secure a higher draft pick by losing games down the stretch. While the practice of tanking has drawn criticism, it remains a strategy employed by teams seeking to improve their long-term prospects through the draft.