Mavericks vs Lakers: LeBron set to play tonight as Dallas sits Doncic and Flagg

The final game before the All-Star break features a short-handed Dallas team visiting Los Angeles, with LeBron James cleared to return and the Lakers eyeing a 3-0 season series lead. Tip is set for Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET.

Tip time, setting, and stakes

Los Angeles closes out the pre-break slate at home in downtown L.A., looking to build momentum after a lopsided defeat earlier in the week. Dallas enters the night managing key absences yet again and aiming to steady its form against a familiar opponent. Beyond the standings, the matchup offers a late-week showcase for LeBron James and Austin Reaves as they steer the Lakers into the midseason pause, while the Mavericks test their depth in a marquee time slot.

Injury report and expected rotations

LeBron James, who missed the previous game due to left foot arthritis, is not listed on the injury report and is expected to play. Through 35 appearances this season, he has averaged 21.8 points, 6.9 assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals per game.

Dallas will be without Luka Doncic, sidelined by a hamstring strain for a fourth consecutive game. The Mavericks are also missing standout rookie Cooper Flagg due to a left midfoot sprain, an injury that will keep him out of the Rising Stars Game during All-Star Weekend. Those losses place added responsibility on the remaining Dallas backcourt and wings, with contributors such as Naji Marshall and Brandon Williams likely to see expanded roles.

For Los Angeles, the guard and wing minutes will continue to run through Austin Reaves and Max Christie around James, with Deandre Ayton offering size and screening in the middle. The Lakers’ rotation stability — especially with James active — contrasts sharply with Dallas’ current patchwork approach on the perimeter.

What to watch: Matchups and strategy

With Doncic out, Dallas leans more on drive-and-kick actions and secondary creation, putting a premium on spacing and timely cuts. The Lakers can counter by pressuring ball-handlers and switching selectively to keep the Mavericks out of rhythm. Expect Los Angeles to attack early in transition off misses, where James and Reaves can hunt mismatches before Dallas sets its defense.

Halfcourt execution favors the home side. James’ ability to orchestrate from the elbows and low post should generate quality looks for shooters and cutters, while Ayton’s screening and rolls can open lanes for Reaves. On the other end, limiting second-chance points becomes vital for Dallas to hang in; if the Lakers tilt the rebounding battle decisively, the visitors could face a possession deficit that’s difficult to overcome.

Form guide and season series

The Lakers have taken the first two meetings this season and can clinch the head-to-head with a win tonight. They’ll see the Mavericks one more time in April. Recent trends point to Los Angeles’ comfort in this matchup, while Dallas’ ongoing injury issues have disrupted continuity and late-game cohesion. The Mavericks have also struggled at the betting window of late, including a run of four straight games without covering the spread, underscoring the difficulty of compensating for their missing stars.

Odds and projections

Market indicators entering Thursday position Los Angeles as a multiple-possession favorite, reflecting the status of the injury report and the Lakers’ track record in the matchup. Data-driven simulations point toward a solid edge for the home team, with an estimated win probability around seven-in-ten and a projected final in the neighborhood of 119-113. Totals models lean slightly toward a lower-scoring outcome relative to the posted number, with a modest edge on the Under.

Key player props center on James and Reaves, whose usage and on-ball responsibilities should spike against a Dallas backcourt that has been vulnerable defensively. For the Mavericks, contributions from role players will determine whether they can keep pace into the fourth quarter, particularly if they manufacture enough halfcourt threes to offset the shot creation void left by Doncic and Flagg.

What’s next after the break

Barring setbacks, Los Angeles aims to emerge from the All-Star break healthier and better positioned for a playoff push, with James’ availability the top bellwether. Dallas, meanwhile, will monitor timelines for both Doncic and Flagg, whose returns are essential to restoring the offensive hierarchy that powered the team earlier in the season. The rivals meet again in April, but tonight offers an immediate barometer of how each club navigates adversity heading into the season’s home stretch.