The Dallas Mavericks will indeed host Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers this weekend despite a winter storm bearing down on North Texas.
The Mavericks confirmed after Friday’s practice that the game will be played as scheduled Saturday at 7:30 p.m., which will be Doncic’s second return to American Airlines Center since he was traded last season.
Inclement weather had already descended upon Dallas-Fort Worth as of Friday afternoon, with ice and freezing temperatures to follow. Roads are expected to be difficult to navigate by the time AAC’s doors open to fans at 6 p.m.
The team will not offer refunds for customers who are unable to attend the game, according to the NBA’s standard terms and conditions for ticket holders, which states all ticket sales are final and no refunds, credits or exchanges will be made unless the game is canceled and not rescheduled.
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The Lakers reportedly moved their flight from Friday afternoon to Friday morning after their Thursday night game against the LA Clippers to land well before temperatures started to fall.
“The Lakers played last night; should have no trouble traveling this morning to get here. I’m told the referees will be here today. So two teams, referees, you play the game,” Mavericks CEO Rick Welts told The Dallas Morning News. “Our messaging, which you’ll see over the next 48 hours, is just urging people to be smart and safe.”
The Mavericks issued a statement Friday shortly after 1 p.m. stating they are closely monitoring the conditions and will take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable experience for fans, staff and players.
To help maintain building temperatures, the North and North Platinum entrances at AAC will be closed.
The Mavericks said they will provide an additional update Saturday should conditions change or further adjustments be required.
Before Thursday’s win over the Golden State Warriors, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd suggested the team’s road game in Milwaukee on Sunday could be affected if the Mavericks aren’t able to fly out of Dallas following Saturday’s game against the Lakers.
“If the Lakers land, we play,” Kidd said. “We can’t help it if the fans don’t come or if you [reporters] don’t come. … But now the other games could be in doubt. That’s just something the league will have to decide on as we go forward.”
The NBA took precautions for Saturday’s game between the Washington Wizards and Charlotte Hornets in North Carolina by moving it from 6 p.m. to noon Eastern time.
Fans attending Saturday’s game between the Mavericks and Lakers will notice a slight change in protocol for entering American Airlines Center. The north and north platinum entrances will be closed to maintain the building’s temperature. All other entrances are expected to be open.
“There are a few deficiencies at American Airlines Center,” Welts said. “One, it’s not really designed for this weather. So the operations people there have a whole plan on doors we’ll use and not use to keep the temperature as good as we possibly can keep it in the building.”
Somewhat lost in the conversation of the rapidly approaching storm is the return of Doncic, a six-time All-Star guard who was a Maverick for 6½ seasons until he was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis and Max Christie. The game is the second of four meetings the two teams will play on national television, but the first held in Dallas this season, which could potentially make Saturday’s turnout higher.
“This is probably, to this point, our highest-profile game of the year,” Welts said. “It’s on national television. Luka’s back. You just hope people are smart in their decision-making about choosing to come to the game – and give themselves plenty of time to do it as safely as they possibly can. But the timing is not terrific.”
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