The Dallas Mavericks have made additional changes to their injury report ahead of Thursday’s game against the Orlando Magic. Brandon Williams has been downgraded from probable to questionable with a left quad contusion. Two-way players Moussa Cissé, John Poulakidas, and Tyler Smith have all been downgraded to doubtful.
The changes add uncertainty to a night the Mavericks were already counting on Williams to be available. He led Dallas with 18 points on 4-of-10 shooting, going 10-of-11 from the free-throw line in Tuesday’s 117-90 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. On the season, he is averaging 13.1 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 3.8 assists on 47.2% shooting in 53 games.
Cooper Flagg remains questionable with a left midfoot sprain. Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall are still listed as probable.
Brandon Williams Downgraded to Questionable
Williams played 27 minutes in Charlotte on Tuesday and led the Mavericks in scoring, but the quad contusion has raised enough concern to push him down from probable. A player listed as questionable has roughly a 50-50 chance of playing.
His absence would be felt on both ends. Williams has been one of Dallas’s more reliable perimeter defenders and has operated as a primary ball handler in stretches with Cooper Flagg out. On the season he is shooting 23.6% from three on 2.4 attempts per game — modest numbers, but in a lineup that ranks 28th in three-point attempts per game, every available shooter matters.
Two-Way Players Moussa Cissé, John Poulakidas, Tyler Smith Downgraded to Doubtful
Cissé, Poulakidas, and Smith were all listed as questionable on Wednesday. All three have been downgraded to doubtful Thursday.
Cissé did not play in Tuesday’s loss to Charlotte. Poulakidas played 14 minutes in his Mavericks debut, finishing with five rebounds and two assists. Smith did not dress. With the two-way limit on how many games they can appear in at the NBA level, coach Jason Kidd indicated earlier this week that the staff will have to be deliberate about when they use them. Managing their eligibility across a six-game road trip means not every stop will be the right spot.
Poulakidas is averaging 3.1 points on 36.4% shooting in 11 games this season, shooting 30.3% from three. Cissé is averaging 3.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks on 45.7% shooting in 33 games.
Full Dallas Mavericks Injury Report vs. Orlando Magic
Cooper Flagg is questionable with a left midfoot sprain after missing eight consecutive games. Flagg was averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks on 48.2% shooting across 49 games before going down. Klay Thompson is probable with a right adductor contusion. Thompson is averaging 11.5 points on 38.7% from three in 54 games. Naji Marshall is probable with a right finger contusion after missing four straight games. Marshall is averaging 15.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists on 53.1% shooting. Brandon Williams is questionable with a left quad contusion.
Marvin Bagley III remains out with a neck sprain stemming from a Feb. 26 game against Sacramento, when he took a knee to the head. In seven games with Dallas after arriving in the Anthony Davis trade, he averaged 13.0 points and 8.9 rebounds on 61.3% shooting. There is no timetable for his return. Cissé, Poulakidas, and Smith are all doubtful. Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) and Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery) remain out for the season.
Tip-off Thursday is at 6 p.m. CT at Kia Center in Orlando.
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