NBA Team Guide
Dallas Mavericks: History, Championships & Facts
The Mavericks joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1980. Led by Dirk Nowitzki, they won the 2011 NBA championship over the Miami Heat.
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Updated live from ESPN.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1980, as an expansion team |
|---|---|
| Arena | American Airlines Center, Dallas (opened 2001) |
| NBA titles | 1 (2011) |
| Western Conference titles | 3 (2006, 2011, 2024) as of 2026 |
| Former home | Reunion Arena (1980–2001) |
Championship history
Dallas won its first NBA title in 2011, beating the Miami Heat five years after losing to them in the Finals.
- 2011 NBA Finals: beat the Miami Heat 4–2
- 2006 NBA Finals: lost to the Miami Heat 4–2
- 2024 NBA Finals: lost to the Boston Celtics 4–1
Franchise history
- 1980: Began play at Reunion Arena; fans chose the Mavericks name.
- 1998: Acquired Dirk Nowitzki, the ninth pick, in a draft-day trade with Milwaukee, then traded for Steve Nash from Phoenix.
- 2000: Mark Cuban bought the team from Ross Perot Jr.'s group for $285 million.
- 2001: Moved into the American Airlines Center.
- 2007: Nowitzki became the first European player named NBA MVP.
- 2011: Won the NBA title; Nowitzki was Finals MVP.
- 2019: Nowitzki retired after 21 seasons, all with Dallas, an NBA record for one team.
Franchise record holders
| Points | Dirk Nowitzki, 31,560 |
|---|---|
| Rebounds | Dirk Nowitzki, 11,489 |
| Assists | Derek Harper, 5,111 |
Retired numbers
- 6Bill Russell (retired across the NBA)
- 12Derek Harper
- 15Brad Davis
- 22Rolando Blackman
- 24Mark Aguirre
- 41Dirk Nowitzki
Hall of Famers
Dirk Nowitzki.
Biggest rivalries
- San Antonio Spurs: in-state rivals who have met often in the playoffs, including Dallas's seven-game win in the 2006 West semifinals.
- Houston Rockets: in-state rivals who met in the playoffs in 1988, 2005 and 2015.
- Miami Heat: Dallas's opponent in both the 2006 and 2011 NBA Finals.
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How many championships have the Mavericks won?
One, in 2011, beating the Miami Heat four games to two.
How did the Mavericks get their name?
Fans picked it in 1980 from about 4,600 postcard entries, after the TV western Maverick. It beat Wranglers and Express.
Who is the Mavericks' all-time leading scorer?
Dirk Nowitzki, with 31,560 points over 21 seasons (1998–2019).
When did the Mavericks retire Mark Aguirre's number?
His No. 24 was retired on January 29, 2026.
Where did the Mavericks play before the American Airlines Center?
Reunion Arena, from 1980 to 2001.
Sources
Facts checked September 23, 2026. Live figures above come from ESPN.