The Dallas Mavericks (2-6) head to Memphis Friday night for their first NBA Cup game against the Grizzlies (3-6). It is a tale of two dysfunctional teams: the Grizzlies, who attempt to make peace with star Ja Morant, and the Mavericks, who attempt to make, well, a shot.

The Dallas Mavericks’ rough start to the season continued on Wednesday as Cooper Flagg, Klay Thompson and the rest of the Mavs suffered a 101-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. After losing six in a row to start the season, the Pelicans have now won back-to-back games, and their latest victory came on the road in Dallas’ American Airlines Center.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd provided injury updates for Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II during his pregame news conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Dallas Mavericks’ track record with European players has proven highly successful. Dirk Nowitzki transformed the franchise for over two decades, culminating in a 2011 championship.

Davis suffered the injury last Wednesday, Oct. 30, in the Mavs’ 107-105 win over the Indiana Pacers. He was initially tagged with left lower leg soreness and was unable to return to the game. The 6-foot-10 forward-center ended up missing the next two contests, which Dallas both lost.

PJ Washington had his best game of the season with 29 points and 12 rebounds, but Dallas still fell to Houston.

Megan Thee Stallion is mixing hoops, music, and fandom in a new Fanatics campaign that shows she’s all in on basketball season.