The Dallas Mavericks regained two rotation players Monday night but remained significantly depleted in the frontcourt, with Anthony Davis and Brandon Williams upgraded to available while P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford were ruled out ahead of their matchup against the Denver Nuggets.
The update came on the final day of a three-game West Coast trip marked by last-minute injuries, shifting rotations, and unexpected absences.
Anthony Davis Returns Amid Ongoing Frontcourt Injuries
Davis, who continues to manage left calf injury recovery, completed pregame work at Ball Arena and was cleared for his eighth appearance with the Mavericks. He has averaged 20.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 3.4 assists through seven games, offering a stabilizing interior presence for a roster operating without most of its frontcourt depth.
Washington’s absence is his second in three days after he rolled his right ankle during warmups before Saturday’s win over the Clippers. The injury immediately sparked concern given how similar it looked to the ankle sprain that kept Gafford out for nearly a month earlier this season.
Head coach Jason Kidd said before Monday’s game that the team is optimistic Washington will not face the same extended timeline.
“He’s out, but hopefully he’s back this week,” Kidd said. “That would be a positive if we can get both of those guys back this week.”
Gafford, who has been working through right ankle injury management, was also ruled out. With Dereck Lively II still sidelined due to right foot injury management, Davis became the lone healthy frontcourt regular available.
Brandon Williams Returns as Guard Rotation Stabilizes
Williams, upgraded after missing time with a left adductor strain, rejoined a backcourt that has been stretched thin by the extended absences of Kyrie Irving and Danté Exum.
The 26-year-old has averaged 8.3 points and 2.4 assists in 31 appearances and has been a steady contributor during the Mavericks’ rotation turmoil.
Rookie forward Cooper Flagg remained available while managing a right thumb splint. Two days earlier, the 18-year-old became the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in a game, helping Dallas secure an emotional victory over the Clippers.
Klay Thompson’s Illness
Another unfolding issue for Dallas was the status of Klay Thompson, who was not present at Monday morning’s shootaround due to illness and was later listed as probable. His condition added another layer of uncertainty after he nearly sat out Saturday’s game before deciding to play — a decision that led to 23 points and a decisive fourth-quarter surge.
Thompson’s uncertainty came just two days after he nearly missed the game in Los Angeles due to left knee injury management. He had initially been listed out for that contest before deciding to play and then delivering 23 points — including 17 in the fourth quarter — in the Mavericks’ win over the Clippers.
Thompson said he found his energy by taking a boat out near his Los Angeles home and diving into the Pacific Ocean before that game.
“Any time you touch the earth it gives you energy,” he said afterward. “I went to my boat and got out in the sea.”
The Mavericks leaned heavily on him again Monday with their rotation still depleted.
Road Trip Concludes Against a Sharpened Denver Nuggets Team
Denver entered the matchup having won four of its last six games, including a 130–112 road victory in Phoenix on Saturday. Nikola Jokic delivered 26 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists in that win as the Nuggets shot 58% from both the field and from three-point range.
Monday’s game closed the Mavericks’ road swing, which opened with a loss to the Lakers before Flagg and Thompson powered Saturday’s win over the Clippers. Dallas returns home Wednesday to host the Miami Heat.
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