Mavericks Shift Warriors Tip-Off Early For Nellie Night Tribute

The Dallas Mavericks are honoring the legacy of their former head coach, Don Nelson, before their upcoming game against the Golden State Warriors. The team announced on Saturday that the November 18th matchup will begin at 7 p.m. CT, an hour earlier than the usual 8:30 p.m. start time. This shift will allow fans to spend more time celebrating Nelson's life before tip-off.

Nelson, affectionately known as "Nellie," passed away on August 9, 2026, at the age of 86. He coached and served as the general manager of the Mavericks from 1997 to 2005. The organization is hosting "Nellie Night" to pay tribute to his remarkable career and his profound impact on the Dallas community. The evening will feature special ceremonies and video tributes honoring his achievements.

To engage fans in the tribute, the Mavericks have planned several activities. A commemorative deck of playing cards inspired by Nelson's career will be given to the first 10,000 ticketed attendees. Additionally, players will wear special Nellie-themed shirts during their pregame warm-ups as a sign of respect. The Mavericks will also donate $25,000 to the Humane Society of North Texas in Nelson's memory, acknowledging his love for animals.

Viewers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can catch the game exclusively on KFAA 29. The action will also be broadcast across the Mavericks' television networks, MavsTV and MavsTV+, as well as on 105.3 The Fan and ZonaMX 99.1 for radio listeners. With the earlier start time, the game is expected to conclude sooner, which may assist fans in getting home before the later hours. Tickets for the 7 p.m. CT kickoff can be purchased through Mavs.com/Tickets.