The 2002–03 NBA season was the Mavericks' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association. During the off-season, the Mavericks signed free agents Walt Williams, and Raja Bell. The Mavericks started the season strong by winning their first fourteen games of the season, which was one win shy of tying the NBA record set by the 1948–49 Washington Capitols and the 1993–94 Houston Rockets (15–0). They later held a 38–10 record at the All-Star break, and finished with a 60–22 record and lost the tie-breaker with the Spurs for the Midwest Division title.