Dallas is the sports capital tonight
Breaking in Dallas, three teams, three storylines, one city on edge. I can confirm the Stars kept rolling with a clutch shootout win. The Mavericks found a new starting guard who looks ready for the spotlight. The Cowboys are fighting injuries at the worst time. December in Dallas just got loud.
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Stars keep skating past everyone
The Stars beat the Penguins 3 to 2 in a shootout tonight. They trailed late. Miro Heiskanen tied it with 1:49 left. Jake Oettinger was calm and sharp, making 27 saves. He did not allow a goal in the shootout. It is their third straight win. Since November 8, they are 13-1-2. That is elite form.
Matt Duchene returned after missing 24 games. His presence adds balance to the middle six. It also lets the coaching staff spread minutes and matchups. You could feel the ripple effect in the final period. The Stars pushed the pace, protected the puck, and looked confident in tight ice.
Heiskanen is playing at a Norris level. His reads are clean. His gaps are tight. Oettinger looks settled again, tracking through traffic and controlling rebounds. Trust is back in the crease, and that changes the whole bench. If special teams stay steady, this surge has staying power.
The Stars are winning on structure and depth, not luck. That travels in spring. :::
Mavericks find a floor general
The Mavericks have a new engine. Undrafted guard Ryan Nembhard has seized the starting job and the moment. Over his first four starts, he averaged about 17 points and more than seven assists. He is shooting a wild 61.2 percent from three. I am told the team plans to convert his two way deal to a standard contract as soon as rules allow.
There is timing to sort out. The front office is weighing cap mechanics tied to injured guard Dante Exum. The goal, according to team decision makers, is to secure Nembhard without losing roster flexibility in January. That is the kind of puzzle you solve when a prospect becomes a piece.
On the floor, the fit pops. Nembhard plays with pace and poise. He gets Luka into early actions, then keeps the second unit organized. His turnovers are low for a young guard. His shooting forces tags and creates cleaner lanes. With Kyrie Irving still limited by a knee issue, this lift is real.
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Dallas is exploring multiple contract paths for Nembhard, including short term guarantees that keep options open at the deadline. :::
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Cowboys face a December test
The Cowboys enter the stretch with a shaky offensive line and a major injury at receiver. Terence Steele has been uneven at right tackle. On the left side, injured starter Tyler Guyton has left a hole. Second year lineman Nate Thomas has struggled in relief, with pressures and penalties piling up in Detroit. That is a lot of stress on a scheme built on timing.
CeeDee Lamb suffered a serious concussion. There is no firm return date. I am told the team will be cautious, and rightly so. In the meantime, targets will shift to the tight ends and backs. Expect more quick game and screens to Tony Pollard. Expect motion to create clean releases for the remaining wideouts.
Owner Jerry Jones publicly backed offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer today. The message is clear, fix protection and keep the ball moving. The defense can carry you only so far if the sticks stay behind schedule.
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December will compress the field for Dallas. Protection and protocol timelines could swing playoff seeding. :::
What it means for Dallas
- The Stars look like a top two seed if health holds.
- The Mavericks may have found their long term lead guard, and must lock him in smartly.
- The Cowboys need stability at tackle and clarity on Lamb, fast.
- Two teams are surging, one is scrambling, the city feels both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How hot are the Stars right now?
A: They are 13-1-2 since November 8, with three straight wins. Goaltending and blue line play are driving it.
Q: What is the Mavericks’ plan with Ryan Nembhard?
A: Convert his two way to a standard deal. The team is aligning cap timing around Dante Exum’s status to make it clean.
Q: How soon could CeeDee Lamb return?
A: There is no set date. He is in the concussion protocol. The next steps depend on medical clearance.
Q: Will the Cowboys add help at tackle?
A: They are exploring options. Internal shuffles, veteran depth, and quick game tweaks are all on the table.
Q: What is the mood across Dallas sports?
A: Confident on the ice, energized on the hardwood, tense at The Star. Every game now feels bigger.
Conclusion
Dallas is a study in momentum and management tonight. The Stars are winning with layers. The Mavericks uncovered a guard who changes their ceiling. The Cowboys must weather injuries and protect their quarterback. December is here. The choices made this week will echo in the spring.
