In the wake of the Mavs’ most recent injury report, Luka Doncic and Derrick Jones Jr. received upgrades in time for Wednesday’s game against the Lakers.
After missing five games due to injury, Dereck Lively II was back in the starting lineup for the Dallas Mavericks’ 125-120 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday. Luka Doncic is making progress toward his impending return. He has missed the Mavs’ last four games because of a sprained right ankle.
Doncic was listed as questionable in the Mavs’ injury report that they filed to the NBA prior to their game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.
“We can only hope the California sun helps heal us,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said when asked about Doncic’s status Monday.
Other players listed on the injury report include Derrick Jones Jr. (right calf contusion) and Grant Williams (right ankle sprain) as probable to play against the Lakers. Dante Exum will remain sidelined with a right plantar sprain.
Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway Jr. have stepped up significantly for the Mavs amid the recent slew of injuries, combining to score 83 points against the Pelicans. Irving had 42 points, while Hardaway scored 41 points. Irving was dominant throughout Dallas’ seven-game homestand, averaging 34.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.0 assists. Meanwhile, the Mavs received an average of 21.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists from Hardaway throughout that same stretch.
“Two guys scoring 40 points is a first in the history of the team. Kai and Luka did it last year,” Kidd remarked of Irving and Hardaway. Timmy (Tim Hardaway Jr.) was fantastic for us this afternoon; he made some key shots and kept us in the game. However, Kai remained steady the entire afternoon, accepting anything they offered him. This is what he has been doing all homestand. Guys are trailing after him as he leads the way. He positions us for success.”
Despite the Mavs’ season-long struggles with wing injuries, Hardaway has shown that he can contribute when called upon to enter the starting lineup. Hardaway was challenged to accept the sixth-man role before the season, but he has flourished in it when the team has been healthy enough.
Kidd described Hardaway as “the substitute teacher in the starting lineup, and he’s being a pro about it.” “We want him to start, we want him to come off the bench, we want him to guard Zion, we want him to guard everyone.” He’s simply an expert.
The Mavs are still dealing with a large number of injuries. However, there has been a lot of work made toward getting fit, with Jones, Doncic, and Maxi Kleber having recently returned to action with Lively and Maxi Kleber gaining upgraded statuses.
Kidd remarked, “It’s unclear [what kind of team we are] with all the injuries.” “I think we’re setting a franchise record here with different starting lineups because of all the injuries.” However, we can’t be upset because it happens to every team.
The Mavs have managed to go 27-14 at the midpoint of the season, which is the best start the franchise has had since the 2019–20 campaign. When Doncic eventually makes his way back into the starting lineup, the team will be in a better position to maintain continuity with its core players.
