Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 1 | 2024-25 NBA season

The Dallas Mavericks will begin 2025 with an in-state rivalry game against the Houston Rockets. Wednesday's matchup pits the No. 3- and No. 4-ranked teams in the West against each other, with the two separated by just 1.5 games in the standings.

There will be plenty of talent on display at the Toyota Center with big-name stars like Kyrie Irving, Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun and Klay Thompson all set to feature. However, the Mavericks will be without All-Star guard Luka Doncic, who is out with a left calf injury.

Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green celebrates with teammates against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

The Dallas Mavericks have been flexible with their starting five during the first three months. Coach Jason Kidd has offered starts to 11 different players over the team's first 33 games. Kyrie Irving leads the roster with 29 starts, with Klay Thompson following with 28.

Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic suffered a left calf injury against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day and is expected to miss a significant portion of the season. Doncic's injury is a major setback for the organization, and it will turn to Irving and Thompson to fill the void. Guard Dante Exum is also ruled out due to injury, and center Derek Lively II is listed as questionable.

Expect the Mavs to go with a starting five of Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, Spencer Dinwiddie, P.J. Washington and Derek Lively II.

Dallas Mavericks depth chart:

G	Luka Doncic (O)	Spencer Dinwiddie	Dante Exum (O)	Jazian Gortman
G	Kyrie Irving	Quentin Grimes	Jaden Hardy
F	Klay Thompson	Naji Marshall (SUSP)	Olivier-Maxence Prosper
F	P.J. Washington	Maxi Kleber	Markieff Morris
C	Dereck Lively II (Q)	Daniel Gafford	Dwight Powell

On the other hand, Houston Rockets coach Ime Udoka has been consistent with his starting five over the first 32 games. Five players (Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.) have 29 or more starts this season. Udoka has started just six different players over the first few months and has been rigid with his starting five.

Forwards Tari Eason and Amen Thompson are both out for Wednesday's game.

The Rockets will likely come out with a starting five of Fred VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith Jr.

Houston Rockets depth chart:

G	Fred VanVleet	Reed Sheppard	Aaron Holiday
G	Jalen Green	Cam Whitmore
F	Dillon Brooks	Amen Thompson (SUSP)	Jae'Sean Tate
F	Jabari Smith Jr.	Tari Eason (O)	Jeff Green
C	Alperen Sengun	Steven Adams	Jock Landale

Dallas Mavericks vs Houston Rockets preview

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II dives to save a ball as Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet defends at American Airlines Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

The Mavericks sit in fourth position in the Western Conference standings with a 20-13 record. After an underwhelming start to the campaign, Dallas strung together seven consecutive wins between late November and mid-December to work its way back up the standings. The team has won five of its last 10 outings and has a 10-8 record in away matchups.

The Mavs come into Houston looking to snap a two-game losing streak after losses against the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings.

The loss of Luka Doncic to injury has been a huge blow for the franchise. Doncic leads the roster in points (28.1), rebounds (8.3), assists (7.8) and steals (2.0). Eight-time All-Star Kyrie Irving will be called to carry the workload on Monday. The talented point guard averages 24.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 5.0 apg.

Meanwhile, Houston is third in the West after a 21-11 start to the 2024-25 season. The team has a solid 11-5 record at the Toyota Center and has won six of its last 10 games.

The Rockets have been streaky this season, putting together a five-game win streak in November and a four-game win streak in December. However, the team has lost back-to-back home games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Miami Heat and will look to get back to winning ways on Wednesday.

Turkish star Alperen Sengun is in the midst of another stellar season after finishing the 2023-24 campaign on a high. The fourth-year center is averaging a double-double with 18.9 ppg and 10.8 rpg and is also chipping in with 5.1 apg.

The Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets have already met once this season, with Houston edging the encounter 108-102 at the American Airlines Center on Oct. 31.