Dallas Mavericks Downgrade Cooper Flagg And Caleb Martin On Injury Report Before New York Knicks Game
The Dallas Mavericks added two more names to an already crowded injury report ahead of Wednesday night’s matchup against the New York Knicks, listing Cooper Flagg and Caleb Martin as questionable due to illness. Neither player participated in the morning shootaround, leaving their status uncertain as Dallas opens a three-game homestand.
Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Danté Exum (right knee injury management), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), and Ryan Nembhard (left knee sprain) remain out. Head coach Jason Kidd said Nembhard sprained his knee while working out and will need additional time to recover.
“Ryan sprained his left knee working out,” Kidd said. “Hopefully he’ll be back in 2–3 weeks.”
Frontcourt Help Expected With Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II Probable
Dallas expects more stability in the frontcourt as Daniel Gafford (right ankle injury management) and Dereck Lively II (right knee injury management) were both upgraded to probable. Neither played in Monday’s loss to Minnesota, where the Mavericks were overwhelmed inside during the final leg of a demanding stretch, but participated in Wednesday’s shootaround.
“Fatigue, and they were aggressive,” Kidd said earlier in the week. “We turned the ball over too many times against a talented team.”
Their absences contributed to a difficult stretch that included two overtime games and a 120–96 loss less than 24 hours after beating Portland. Kidd said fatigue played a major role, as did the team’s inability to handle Minnesota’s pressure.
He also described the team’s mindset as they prepare to rebound from the loss.
“It’s good energy today,” Gafford said. “Despite the loss we just had coming from Minnesota, we still came in knowing we’ve got a job to do today. The most important game is today’s game. We learned from the mistakes we made last game, and we’re trying to implement that into this game today.”
Gafford said he felt encouraged after participating in shootaround.
“I’m doing good,” Gafford said. “I’m doing good. I can’t complain.”
The ankle issue that sidelined him on Monday remains an ongoing concern, though Gafford said he has been aggressive with treatment.
“Really just staying on top of it, holding myself accountable to make myself as healthy as possible to be out there on the floor,” Gafford said. “Nothing too crazy, honestly — just a lot of treatment, a lot of rehab, a lot of work.”
He said he does not expect the pain to linger deep into the year.
“I doubt the rest of the season,” Gafford said. “It’s going to be around a good amount throughout this first part of the season, but I feel like it’s going to get better through and through. Of course, I’m playing on it, so that’s probably not going to make it any better, but I feel like sooner or later the tide is going to end when it comes to this ankle, for sure.”
Cooper Flagg’s Illness Clouds Dallas Mavericks’ Scoring Options
Flagg had already been managing a right thumb sprain, an injury he has played through while leading the Mavericks in scoring among qualified players at 15.5 points per game. Being added to the report with an illness introduces a second hurdle — one that kept him out of shootaround and puts his availability in doubt.
His potential absence would remove another ballhandler and creator from a roster already missing Irving, Exum, and Nembhard.
He explained how players are trying to stay steady through the churn.
“It’s a great group of guys,” Hardy said. “We all like being around each other. We all know this is not going to last that long.”
Gafford said Flagg looks more comfortable now that he’s playing in his natural forward role after opening the season at point guard. He explained why the shift has helped the rookie.
“I feel like he’s more comfortable,” Gafford said. “I’ve seen that he said it takes a lot of responsibility to play that one spot. It really does — you’ve got to facilitate a lot and you’re learning the guys you’re out there playing with. So I feel like he’s in the best position he can possibly be in, and that’s the right position for him to be playing.”
Backcourt Injuries Still Limiting Continuity
With three point guards still unavailable, Dallas continues relying on D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Williams for ball-handling responsibilities. Kidd said the situation is still evolving as the new-look roster figures out roles on the fly.
He described the ongoing adjustments players are making.
“We’re asking people — and D-Lo — to be point guards and do things,” Kidd said. “Chemistry is something he’s going through right now — getting used to his new teammates.”
The Mavericks have also struggled with early turnovers, committing seven in the first quarter of each of their past two games.
Anthony Davis Still Expected to Miss At Least Another Week
Davis’ absence remains one of the biggest obstacles for Dallas. Kidd said earlier in the week that Davis is still at least seven to ten days away from returning after the most recent evaluation of his calf strain. His return would help stabilize rotations and reduce the heavy burden placed on the team’s younger players.
Dallas enters the game at 4–11 and will look for clarity on Flagg and Martin closer to tipoff. Their availability could swing the rotation significantly as the Mavericks try to steady themselves during one of the most injury-heavy stretches of the season.
Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors
- NBA News: ‘He’s Ahead Of Schedule’: NBA Insider Says Kyrie Irving Could Play Today If It Was The Playoffs
- NBA News: ‘Getting Downhill, Making Good Decisions’: How Brandon Williams’ Speed Is Transforming Dallas Mavericks’ Offense Next To Cooper Flagg
- NBA News: ‘The Game Finds You’: Conversation With Daniel Gafford Helped Unlock Cooper Flagg’s Second-Half Surge Against Portland Trail Blazers
- NBA News: ‘We Found a Way to Win’: Dallas Mavericks Outlast Portland Trail Blazers In Overtime Behind Late Execution, Seven Double-Figure Scorers
- NBA News: ‘He Wants To Play’: Dallas Mavericks Reveal Substantial Anthony Davis Injury Update Amid Left Calf Strain
- NBA News: ‘A Lot of Responsibility’: Cooper Flagg Settles In After Dallas Mavericks’ Early-Season Point Guard Trial
- NBA News: ‘Turnovers Hurt Us’: Dallas Mavericks Push LA Clippers To Double OT, But Turnovers And James Harden’s Mastery Deliver Another Missed Opportunity
- NBA News: Dirk Nowitzki Feels Dallas Mavericks Fans Were ‘Robbed’ By Nico Harrison’s Luka Dončić Trade, Reacts To GM’s Firing
- NBA News: ‘I Feel Bad For My Mavs Fans’: Dirk Nowitzki Gets Brutally Honest About Dallas Mavericks’ Struggles, Shares Advice for Cooper Flagg
