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Dallas Mavericks Rule Out Daniel Gafford, Klay Thompson Out Against Houston Rockets; P.J. Washington A Game-Time Decision

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NBA Trade Idea Sends Anfernee Simons To Mavericks, Daniel Gafford To Celtics, Klay Thompson To Nets
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The Dallas Mavericks will again take the floor shorthanded on Saturday night as they host the Houston Rockets on the second night of a back-to-back. Hours before tipoff, head coach Jason Kidd announced that Daniel Gafford and Klay Thompson have been ruled out, while P.J. Washington will be a game-time decision as he continues working back from a right ankle sprain.

The updates further tighten an injury report that has shadowed the Mavericks throughout the early season. Cooper Flagg remains available while playing with a right-thumb splint, but Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Dereck Lively II (right foot injury management), and Danté Exum (right knee injury management) remain sidelined.

The losses are especially significant in the frontcourt. Washington, Gafford, and Lively were expected to form the backbone of Dallas’ interior defense and rebounding. Instead, the Mavericks have spent weeks improvising lineups while leaning heavily on Anthony Davis, Dwight Powell, and two-way center Moussa Cissé to absorb the workload.

Thompson’s late downgrade with left knee soreness strips away one of the team’s most reliable perimeter shooters and a stabilizing veteran presence on a roster already stretched thin.

Houston Rockets Arrive With Momentum Behind Kevin Durant’s Milestone

While the Mavericks attempt to piece together a workable rotation, Houston enters American Airlines Center behind one of its most impressive wins of the season. Kevin Durant scored 28 points in Friday’s 117–98 victory over the Phoenix Suns, becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to surpass 31,000 career points.

“It means a lot,” Durant said. “Grateful I’m still here in the league at this age playing and contributing to a team. … I think about the long journey it takes to stay around the league this long.”

Durant has quickly validated Houston’s decision to retool its roster around him. In his first season with the Rockets, the 15-time All-Star is averaging 25.2 points on 50.2% shooting and 38.6% from three, anchoring a group that has emerged as an early contender in the Western Conference.

“Incredible career and long way to go,” Rockets coach Ime Udoka said. “To be able to do this with the longevity at this high level, efficiency as well, incredible.”

Houston’s supporting cast has also surged. Amen Thompson led the Rockets with 31 points Friday, Jabari Smith Jr. added 16, and rookie Reed Sheppard provided 10 points, five rebounds, and six assists off the bench. Alperen Şengün missed the game with an illness, and his status remains uncertain for Saturday.

Dallas Mavericks Search for Stability Amid Injuries

Dallas enters Saturday’s game following a 132–111 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, a night when the Mavericks’ depleted roster was on full display. Anthony Davis, who had powered the team’s recent three-game winning streak, was held to two points on 1-for-9 shooting.

After the game, Davis said he intends to play through the back-to-back.

“I hold myself accountable,” Davis said. “But we don’t have time. I don’t have time to dwell on it. We have a 24-hour turnaround and we play tomorrow.”

The loss halted a stretch of improved play sparked by two rookies at opposite ends of the draft spectrum: No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and undrafted guard Ryan Nembhard.

Nembhard has steadied the Mavericks’ offense with poise well beyond his experience level. He posted 28 points and 10 assists Monday against Denver, followed by 15 and 13 Wednesday versus Miami, then added 10 points in Friday’s loss. His ability to dictate tempo and limit turnovers has been vital as injuries continue to shuffle the lineup.

Flagg has emerged as one of the NBA’s most productive young scorers, averaging 27 points during Dallas’ winning streak and showing advanced instincts on both ends. With Thompson unavailable and Washington uncertain, the 18-year-old may again shoulder a significant offensive load.

Dereck Lively II Seeking Multiple Opinions as Foot Issues Linger

The Mavericks’ biggest long-term concern remains the status of Dereck Lively II, whose recovery timeline is increasingly unclear. Lively has been managing swelling and soreness in his right foot and has begun seeking multiple medical opinions on the next steps, the team said.

Lively has appeared in only seven games this season and has missed the last seven, including Friday’s matchup in Oklahoma City.

“For a 21-year-old, it’s tough,” Kidd said. “He wants to play. Unfortunately, he can’t play right now.

“So hopefully as he goes through this process of finding other opinions on what he should do, it brings resolve and he can get back to playing because we miss him. He misses playing.”

Lively’s young career has already been marked by a series of leg setbacks. He missed a significant portion of last season with a stress fracture in his right ankle, underwent offseason foot surgery to clean out bone spurs, and has fought through a knee contusion this fall. Even when available, the Mavericks have had to manage his minutes carefully.

The 7-foot-1 center averaged 8.8 points and 6.9 rebounds as a rookie while finishing sixth in Rookie of the Year voting and earning All-Rookie Second Team honors. But injuries limited him to just 55 games — a pattern now continuing into his third year.

A Challenging Test, but an Opportunity at Home

Even with a shortened rotation, Dallas begins a stretch of three of its next four games at home, where improved rhythm and continuity may be easier to build. The Mavericks will rely heavily on Davis, Nembhard, and Flagg while continuing to evaluate Washington’s status and awaiting clarity on Lively’s path forward.

Houston, meanwhile, brings one of the league’s hottest offenses and a resurgent Durant into a matchup that will test Dallas’ depth, resilience, and ability to adapt under pressure.

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Tags :Anthony DavisCooper FlaggDallas MavericksDaniel GaffordHouston RocketsKevin DurantKlay ThompsonNBANBA InjuriesNBA NewsP.J. WashingtonRyan Nembhard

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Grant Afseth

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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