Perhaps 2026 won’t be a banner year for the Dallas Mavericks, but things might be starting to come together for one of the team’s few bright spots.
Max Christie, the 22-year-old shooting guard better known as the “add-on” to Anthony Davis in the Luka Doncic trade, has put together a string of strong performances despite the Mavericks’ rough month of December that leaked into January. Christie’s season-high of 24 points against the Rockets on Saturday helped Dallas end a four-game losing skid.
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It’s all a result of his continued growth on the court, particularly when it comes to aggression and assertiveness, Christie says. That, and an improved jumper: Christie’s shooting 8.2% better from field goal range this season compared to last, and his 3-point percentage is up over 10%. His points per game average is up a tick from 11.2 with the Mavs last year to 12.3 now, but where he’s really seen an uptick is in his efficiency.
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As the second youngest player behind Cooper Flagg on the Mavericks’ active roster, he’s providing fans with a silver lining to an otherwise 12-22 season thus far.
Christie appeared on the K&C Masterpiece on 105.3 The Fan (KRLD-FM) on Monday to discuss his hot streak and growth on the floor so far this season. See what he had to say below.
Question: “Just the other day Anthony Davis was talking about you in the postgame and he goes, ‘We have the utmost confidence in Max, we actually get mad at him when he doesn’t shoot the ball’ You really picked up the shot count in the last four games, you’ve been shooting the ball tremendously well … is that kind of what the game has been giving you or was the plan going in to try and find a way to up your shot count.”
Christie: “Well I think first and foremost, I’m trying to get my 3’s up, because I’m shooting it well and I think as a team right now we’re not shooting as many 3’s as we would’ve liked. So, you know, just looking for more aggressive moments like that in the game, just being able to be more aggressive to shoot the ball.
“Those opportunities are presenting themselves, I’m able to be a little more aggressive, getting to the paint, being able to shoot more 3’s. And it doesn’t feel very forced right now, which is good, it just feels like those opportunities are there. I feel like I’m shooting it well, so just kinda wanna keep that going.”
Question: “Klay Thompson would abide by this: How important is it to have a short-term memory when the shots don’t fall early?
Christie: “Yeah, super important. I’m big on process over outcome, and I think the process for me right now is, again, being more aggressive, being more assertive, offensively and defensively as well. Obviously the outcome has been good for me recently in the last few games where I’m making shots, but the process has been there as well, where I’m just being aggressive and looking to score. Looking to playmake for my teammates as well.
“So as long as I’m sticking to that process, continuing to be aggressive and if the shots don’t fall, then it is what it is. It’ll come back around the next game or the game after that. So, not being discouraged by a little bit of adversity, a little bit of failure, that’s what’s important.”
Question: Taking all that into account, do you think you’re taking the next step offensively? Or do you have another level you’re trying to get to?
Christie: “Yeah, I think for me, again, just focusing on the process, not necessarily thinking about taking the next step. Or, you know, reaching another level. For me it’s just kind of being constient and just continuing to try to focus on the process of being aggressive and assertive. If that means taking the next step, we’ll go with that, that’s great. But you know, I think right now we’re just focusing on the process of what I can control, my aggressiveness, assertiveness, ability to make plays for my teammates, and the results will show themselves on their own.”
Listen to the full interview here.
The pair of Mavericks stars were among the top vote-getters for the NBA All-Star game, which is on Feb. 15.
Williams signed a two-way contract in Dec. 2023 and has grown into one of Dallas’ top point guards with Kyrie Irving on the mend.
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
