INDIANAPOLIS — It’s not every day an NBA team finds itself traveling on the day of a game, let alone two, but that is the case for the Dallas Mavericks and Brooklyn Nets.
Both teams were able to fly to New York City on Tuesday morning, so their 6:30 p.m. matchup at Barclays Center will go on as scheduled.
A winter storm that blasted the Northeast prevented the Mavericks from leaving Indianapolis on Sunday following their win over the Pacers, while the Nets couldn’t leave Atlanta after their loss to the Hawks.
The Mavericks took off from Indianapolis International Airport shortly after 11 a.m. Dallas time and were scheduled to land in New York City at approximately 12:47 p.m., leaving less than six hours to prepare for Tuesday’s tipoff.
Mavericks
The Nets were en route from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and scheduled to land at Newark Liberty International Airport shortly after 11 a.m. However, due to arrival delays, the team did not touch down until shortly past noon.
This is the second time in nearly a month that weather-related travel issues have impacted the Mavericks, who recently snapped a 10-game losing streak with their first win since the trade deadline. Their lone trip to Milwaukee on Jan. 25 was postponed to March 31 because they were unable to take off during the winter storm that hit North Texas last month.
“This group has seen a lot here. Just being pros about it,” said Mavericks coach Jason Kidd. “The weather is out of our control. Safety first. If there’s a game (Tuesday) to be played, we’ll be ready to play.”
Though both teams are set to make it to New York, the Mavericks will play their fourth game without Cooper Flagg, who remains sidelined with a left midfoot sprain.
A victory would secure a milestone for Kidd as he will become the fourth Mavericks coach in franchise history to reach 200 career wins.
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Mavericks’ Khris Middleton, PJ Washington sustain injuries in Tuesday meeting with Nets
Middleton sustained a shoulder injury in the second quarter, while Washington turned his left ankle in the fourth.
Cooper Flagg’s scheduled appearance on Jimmy Fallon canceled due to New York storms
The Mavericks and their schedule continue to be impacted by the weather.
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.