‘Another Positive Workout Today’: Dallas Mavericks Rule Out Anthony Davis And Dereck Lively II vs. Phoenix Suns

Grant AfsethNovember 12, 2025November 12, 2025no comment

Photo by Jess Rapfogel/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks enter Wednesday’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns with an even thinner frontcourt than anticipated. After listing Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II as questionable earlier in the day, both players have now been ruled out, leaving Dallas without its top two interior anchors in a stretch where size and physicality have already been scarce.

The timing comes amid an important week for the Mavericks, who continue searching for rhythm following Monday’s narrow 116–114 loss to Milwaukee. That defeat unfolded under a cloud of organizational noise, and players acknowledged that the outside frustration had become increasingly hard to ignore.

Brandon Williams described the emotional weight of the recent environment surrounding the team.

“It’s unfortunate, for sure,” Williams said. “We got to fight through everything. But yeah, it’s really unfortunate.”

Dallas Mavericks Shorthanded Without Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II

The news of Davis and Lively II being unavailable further complicates Jason Kidd’s rotation, which has already been stretched thin by injuries across multiple positions. Dallas will again lean heavily on Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington and two-way center Moussa Cisse to absorb the frontcourt minutes usually shared between Davis and Lively II.

Kidd addressed the injury situation before the game, explaining that several players continue progressing even if they remain sidelined. He emphasized that both Davis and Lively II are making encouraging strides despite not being ready to return.

“Anthony Davis is doing the same thing,” Kidd said. “He had another positive workout today. Dereck Lively had another positive workout today as well. Hopefully. we can get guys back in uniform and into the fold.”

The Mavericks are also without Kyrie Irving and Danté Exum, leaving Kidd short on ball-handling options and forcing significant structural adjustments on both ends of the floor.

Flagg, meanwhile, remains available while managing a right thumb sprain he suffered when his hand hit the rim during a dunk attempt in Washington. He detailed the injury and how he has been managing it through recent games.

“It’s doing OK,” Flagg said. “Happened on one of the plays the last game (in Washington). I was attacking the rim trying to dunk and hit the rim. A little thumb sprain. Nothing too crazy. Maybe I’ll tape my thumb every game. I was able to play through it.”

With Davis and Lively II out, Cisse becomes essential to maintaining the team’s defensive structure and rim protection. Kidd has repeatedly praised the young center’s consistency and effort during this stretch.

“His energy, his vibe is so positive,” Kidd said. “And he competes on the defensive end.”

Shooting Struggles Continue to Define Dallas

Even before the latest injury setbacks, the Mavericks had been trying to overcome the league’s coldest three-point shooting start. Dallas enters Wednesday making just 29.5 percent from deep — last in the NBA — a problem compounded further by the absence of interior threats capable of collapsing defenses.

Kidd discussed the slump after the Milwaukee loss, emphasizing the need for continued confidence despite the results.

“Right now, we got a cold,” Kidd said. “I don’t think we’ve shot the three well all year. We just got to keep shooting them. If we can continue to create threes, they’ll fall for us at some point.”

The losing stretch has also forced Flagg to process early struggles in a more challenging environment than he experienced at earlier levels of play. His approach has centered on patience and consistency.

“That’s the tough part,” Flagg said. “You have bad games and don’t play up to your standard, it’s a little easier to look past and move on when your team is winning.”

Flagg added that maintaining his confidence and work habits remains the priority.

“At the end of the day, all I can do is keep working, keep getting in the gym, trusting the work,” Flagg said. “And be confident. I know who I am and what I’m capable of. It’s one of those things, you’re going to have good games, you’re going to have bad games. But you can’t get fixated on one thing and look too much at the bad games.”

Despite dropping five of their last six games, the Mavericks believe their ball movement and execution are improving. Williams said the progress has been visible even in losses.

“I can definitely see it out there,” Williams said. “We’re definitely moving the ball, playing together and that’s the most important thing. We’re playing real good team basketball and a lot of that is on me as the point guard.”

Phoenix Arrives With Momentum and Stability

The Suns enter the matchup with a 6–5 record and three straight wins, buoyed by efficient perimeter shooting and steady offensive production.

Devin Booker continues to anchor Phoenix’s attack with 28.4 points per game while shooting nearly 40 percent from three and just under 51 percent from the field. Grayson Allen has added close to 19 points per game, pushing Phoenix into the league’s top eight in three-point shooting percentage.

The contrast in shooting trends between the two teams underscores the challenge facing Dallas — a team without its top two centers now tasked with containing one of the NBA’s most reliable perimeter offenses.

The Mavericks will try to build on their recent improvements despite the shrinking rotation, with the homestand offering opportunities to regain footing once reinforcements return.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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