Max

Christie

On the other side of Luka Doncic facing his former team for the first time was Christie, a second-round pick of the Lakers in 2022. Overall, he’s played well since being traded to Dallas. However, Christie has scored 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting in his last two appearances. In his first seven games as a Maverick, the third-year guard averaged 17.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.4 three-pointers, shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 84 percent from the foul line. Christie will look to snap out of his mini-slump when the Mavericks host Charlotte on Thursday.

Luka Doncic isn’t the only player facing his former team in this matchup. Christie, who has played well since being dealt to the Mavericks, moves into the starting lineup with Dante Exum getting bumped to the bench. The rest of the lineup is unchanged, with Edwards continuing to serve as the small-ball five.

While he was relegated to the bench after starting Dallas’ final two games before the All-Star break, Christie still provided reliable fantasy value. Only Kyrie Irving and PJ Washington played more minutes than the former Laker, who missed one of his seven shot attempts and finished one blocked shot shy of a complete stat line. Rostered in 41 percent of Yahoo leagues, Christie has provided top-60 value in eight- and nine-cat formats since being traded to the Mavericks. And with Anthony Davis (groin) out, there’s even more reason to roster Christie, even if those two don’t play the same position.

Christie made his second-straight start for the shorthanded Mavs, finishing behind only Dante Exum (27) for the team lead in the scoring department. Christie has averaged 17.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.5 triples since arriving in Dallas, and he should continue to see big minutes and strong production with so many frontcourt players injured.

Irving and Klay Thompson will sit out the final game before the All-Star break, and all of Dallas’ starting five is now on the sidelines. The decimated Mavericks will likely deploy Spencer Dinwiddie and Max Christie as the starting backcourt with Jaden Hardy getting extra run and Dante Exum chipping in if he’s available.

Thompson will miss the second night of this back-to-back with a left foot sprain. Kyrie Irving (shoulder) is also out, which opens up two starting spots for Dallas. Dante Exum is back, so he should return to the starting lineup. Max Christie will continue to start, and they will likely be joined by either Brandon Williams or Jaden Hardy.

Irving has right shoulder soreness and Thompson has a left foot sprain ahead of Thursday’s matchup against Miami. Spencer Dinwiddie and Max Christie will get a chance to step up if Dallas can’t play its starting backcourt.

Christie had his first start since coming over from the Lakers and had another good game. The 22-year-old shooting guard moved into the starting lineup with Dallas dealing with a few injuries. Still, Christie has played at least 30 minutes in all five games with the Mavs. He’s scored at least 15 points in all five games, hit at least three 3-pointers in three games and recorded at least one steal or block in five games. Add it all up and Christie should be rostered in all leagues going forward as he appears to have a solid role with Dallas.

Due to injuries, the Mavericks only have one player taller than 6-foot-8 available for Wednesday’s game (Kylor Kelley). Christie will make his first start since being traded to Dallas, while Prosper performed reasonably well as a small-ball five during Monday’s overtime loss to the Kings. Both players are worth streaming due to Dallas’ injuries, and Christie will be worth holding onto beyond this game.

Washington missed Monday’s game with a sprained ankle and was listed as questionable Wednesday before he was ultimately ruled out. The Mavericks have one more game before the All-Star break Thursday, but Washington will be held out of that as well. Naji Marshall and Max Christie could see extra minutes with Washington out Wednesday and Thursday.