Max Christie, the Dallas Mavericks guard, faced disappointment when he was left out of the NBA’s 3-point contest despite boasting one of the most impressive shooting percentages this season. The exclusion occurred during the 2026 NBA All-Star festivities, even though Christie’s sharpshooting stats rivaled or exceeded many selected participants. His ongoing development and remarkable accuracy from beyond the arc, including an outstanding 42.6% three-point shooting rate, put him ahead of notable players such as Jamal Murray, Norman Powell, and Tyrese Maxey.
The snub left many puzzled, including Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, who acknowledged Christie’s deserving place in the competition.
“It was tough. He should be here in the 3-point contest with his numbers,”
Kidd said.
“But he’s young, and he’ll have another opportunity next year. Hopefully, he uses that as motivation because he deserves to be here.”
Statistical Breakdown Highlights Christie’s Shooting Efficiency
Christie’s shooting numbers have flourished during the 2025-26 NBA season, positioning him among the league’s elite shooters. His 46.7% overall shooting percentage and 13.3 points per game mark career highs. Christie’s 42.6% three-point shooting surpasses several All-Star caliber players, including Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (42.5%) and Miami Heat guard Norman Powell (39.6%). Moreover, only Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis (45.1%) and Charlotte Hornets guard Kon Knueppel (43.1%) outpace Christie among the 3-point contest competitors.
Despite these standout stats, Christie’s lower profile compared to some peers and the Mavericks’ team struggles, marked by a 19-35 record and frequent injuries, seem to have influenced the contest selection. This year’s contest winner, Damian Lillard, had the advantage of star recognition despite being sidelined for most of the season with an Achilles injury.
Inside Christie’s Preparation and Growth This Season
Before the All-Star break, Christie demonstrated his commitment to improvement through rigorous training sessions with assistant coach Phil Handy. His pregame routine included extensive shooting drills from various distanced three-pointers, free throws, and specialized ball-handling exercises involving both standard and miniature basketballs. Post-practice film analysis with Handy allowed Christie to refine his decision-making and read defenses more effectively.
“He’s been building confidence, making shots and is one of the best shooters in the league,”
said Mavericks forward P.J. Washington.
“He’s been putting the work in all offseason and during the season as well. So I expected it from him. Obviously, he’s a great player and keeps making jumps. He’s going to be something special.”
Christie’s Perspective on His NBA Season Development
In an in-depth conversation about his progress this season, Max credited a mix of personal effort and external support.
“I just think the work that I put in. You combine that with the confidence that teammates and coaches give me; the combination of those two has led me to have a good season so far,”
he shared. His focus remains on maintaining consistency and continuous growth:
“I just want to continue to build on it and continue to try to stay consistent and get better each and every game.”
On the balance between mental and physical preparation, Christie highlighted the importance of both aspects.
“A lot of it was strength training. But the biggest thing for me was the mental peace. I continued to take that next step with my confidence with the way that I’m reading the game. I’m seeing a little bit of different things now from defenses,”
he explained, emphasizing the mental strides that complement his physical drills.
The innovative use of a miniature basketball in ball-handling drills was another method Christie employed to sharpen his skills.
“It’s about being able to have different stimulus. If you can handle a small ball, then it’s easier to handle a real ball in games. It’s easier to handle that with working on a string,”
he said.
Teammates and Coaching Staff Fuel Christie’s Confidence
Christie attributed much of his on-court success to the consistent communication and belief from the Mavericks’ coaching staff and teammates.
“It’s just communication. It’s communication with me. I think that’s where it’s really come from. It’s their communication and their belief in me,”
he said. Their encouragement to maintain aggressiveness and confidence helped him thrive. He added,
“They are putting me in positions where I can succeed. So that has been really helpful.”
His proficiency in corner three-pointers stands out as a key element of his offensive arsenal.
“It’s one of the more valuable shots in today’s game. So that is obviously a point of emphasis to continue to work on. You want to be able to be really elite from those spots,”
he explained, while also noting that being able to make all kinds of three-pointers has been important for his well-rounded shooting game.
Handling the Snub and Future Ambitions
Regarding his exclusion from the 3-point contest, Christie displayed a calm but determined mindset:
“It is what it is. The biggest thing for me is that hopefully, I have plenty more opportunities. This isn’t a live or die by this All-Star year. Hopefully, I have many more years in this league and many more opportunities to be in the competition like that.”
Asked about the motivating effect of the snub, he admitted,
“Oh, of course. I feel a little bit of motivation. But I’m trying to win games. That’s all that really matters. I’m not thinking about it too much. It is what it is.”
Though individual performance has been bright, the Mavericks’ injury setbacks have made the team’s overall season frustrating. Christie summed up the NBA grind:
“That’s the NBA season. That’s how it works. There’s injuries. Sometimes, you’re lucky. Sometimes, you’re unlucky. Sometimes, guys are in and guys are out. It’s an NBA season. We’ve all been through it. It’s next-man up mentality and putting one foot in front of the other.”
Observations on Teammate Cooper Flagg’s Rapid Development
Christie also praised rookie teammate Cooper Flagg’s impressive growth, noting it’s been a progressive process.
“He’s super young. He’s continuing to learn. He’s being put in positions where he can learn and grow,”
Christie said. He highlighted the role of teammates and coaches in fostering Flagg’s confidence and court readiness.
Regarding Flagg’s candidacy for Rookie of the Year, Christie expressed steadfast support.
“I think he deserves it already. He’s played super well. No disrespect to Kon, but obviously, I got to support my teammate above all else. He’s been a special player from day one. If you want to look at statistics or if you actually want to watch the game and see how he affects the game, I think he does it in a multitude of ways.”
Insights on Veteran Players and Locker Room Leadership
Having played alongside Anthony Davis with both the Los Angeles Lakers and the Mavericks, Christie offered his perspective on Davis’ recent injury struggles and eventual trade to the Washington Wizards.
“He did what he could with what he was dealt, to be honest. Obviously, injuries are always tough. He stayed professional about it. He was continuing to work on it, rehabbing it and trying to get back to be able to help us win games. It’s unfortunate how it all went down, where he’s no longer with us. But that’s the business of basketball.”
Kyrie Irving’s role as a team leader during his ACL rehabilitation was also highlighted by Christie.
“He shows his experience with us. He has so much experience. He’s an NBA champion. So with his ability to be around us and instill knowledge in us, he’s continuing to be that positive force. Obviously, he isn’t playing. But his charisma, attitude and presence have been very encouraging for us. His ability to instill that in us has been great.”
The Significance of Christie’s Season and What Lies Ahead
Max Christie’s breakout season and continued improvement reflect both personal dedication and the Mavericks’ ongoing efforts to develop young talents like him and Cooper Flagg. Despite the frustration stemming from being overlooked for the 3-point contest, Christie’s perseverance and mindset indicate a player focused on long-term growth and team success.
His rising shooting efficiency and versatility position him as a key figure for the Mavericks as they strive to overcome injury challenges and climb the Western Conference ranks. Looking forward, Christie has many opportunities to build on this momentum and establish himself further as one of the NBA’s premier shooters. The coming seasons will likely be pivotal in determining his role as a staple presence in NBA events and contests.
