The Dallas Mavericks will play without Caleb Martin and Brandon Williams available on Monday night against the Golden State Warriors after ruling both players out before tip-off.
Martin was first listed as questionable to play on the injury report before being ruled out for the third consecutive game. Williams remains in the NBA’s concussion protocol after missing the last two games. Both players are progressing as they were on the court in practice gear at shootaround.
In 58 games, Martin has averaged 3.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 14.8 minutes. Williams has consistently provided a spark off the bench during a frequently short-handed season, averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in 22.0 minutes across 60 games. Ryan Nembhard will absorb most of his minutes.
With both players out, the Mavericks will start Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Cooper Flagg, P.J. Washington, and Daniel Gafford. Additionally, Kyrie Irving and Dereck Lively II remain out for the season.
Nembhard spoke at shootaround about what Dallas needs to do against a Golden State team that has lost eight of nine and will be without Stephen Curry, Al Horford, and Moses Moody.
“Limit threes, run them off the line, rebound, get out in transition, and try to enforce our will on the game that way,” Nembhard said.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd pointed to the most recent matchup — a 123-115 Dallas win on Jan. 22 — as the blueprint to follow.
“Being able to play fast, being able to score, and being able to rebound the ball, but also taking care of the ball,” Kidd said. “When you talk about the Warriors — Draymond, and especially KP — he’s underrated as a shot blocker, one that will change or block shots. They’re a little bit different, too, in uniform. But again, our pace was extremely high in that game — being able to score, take care of the ball, and rebound, because this is a team that’s going to shoot a lot.”
The Mavericks (23-48) are coming off a 138-131 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday. Dallas led 72-63 at halftime but couldn’t hold on, extending their losing streak to three games and their home losing streak to 11, dating back to Jan. 22. Five home games remain on the schedule.
Cooper Flagg posted 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists in that loss. Nembhard added 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 9 assists. It marked just the fourth time in franchise history that two rookies produced 10-5-5 lines in the same game.
Dallas has played in 40 clutch games this season — more than any other team — with only 15 wins to show for it.
“We’re trying to figure it out. We’ve got young guys, and we’re experimenting,” Nembhard said. “The more we’re in them, the more we’re going to learn. I think it’ll all be good for the future.”
A Mavericks win Monday would officially eliminate Dallas from postseason contention.
Tip-off is 8:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center on Peacock and NBC Sports Network.
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