Klay Thompson, Dereck Lively II Ruled Out As Dallas Mavericks End Road Trip in Washington D.C.

Grant AfsethNovember 8, 2025November 8, 2025no comment

Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks will be without two rotation pieces Saturday night as they close their road back-to-back against the Washington Wizards. Klay Thompson (illness) and Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain) have both been ruled out, further testing the Mavericks’ depth after a 118–104 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.

Thompson played 17 minutes in Memphis but went scoreless, missing all six shot attempts while recording one rebound, three assists, and one steal. The veteran guard has averaged 7.6 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in nine games this season while shooting 31.6% from the field and 26.4% from beyond the arc.

Lively, who had been listed as doubtful before being ruled out, will miss his sixth straight game with a right knee sprain. The 21-year-old center has averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in three games this season.

Anthony Davis Questionable as Recovery Progresses

Anthony Davis (left calf strain) remains questionable to play after missing the past four contests. The All-Star forward has resumed on-court activity and traveled with the Mavericks for the two-game trip, signaling progress toward a return.

Head coach Jason Kidd said before Friday’s game in Memphis that Davis continues to improve and remains in good spirits.

“He seems in good spirits, and I think he’s doing fine health-wise,” Kidd said. “So we’ll see. But I don’t know about tomorrow.”

In five games this season, Davis has averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, providing Dallas with a dominant interior presence when available.

Daniel Gafford Day-to-Day After Ankle Flare-Up

Daniel Gafford (right ankle sprain) is considered questionable to play against the Wizards after leaving Friday’s game in the second half. He played 12 minutes before being ruled out, finishing with one rebound and no points.

Kidd confirmed after the game that Gafford would be reassessed before tipoff in Washington.

“Yeah, sore right ankle,” Kidd said. “We’ll see how he feels in D.C. That’s just the nature of this thing.”

Gafford has averaged 9.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks through four appearances this season, serving as a key rim protector and lob threat.

Kyrie Irving and Danté Exum Remain Out

The Mavericks will once again be without Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) and Danté Exum (right knee injury management). Irving continues his recovery from offseason surgery, while Exum remains out as the medical staff manages his return plan.

In their absence, Dallas continues to rely heavily on D’Angelo Russell and Spencer Dinwiddie to initiate the offense, with Max Christie and Cooper Flagg taking on expanded roles on the wings.

P.J. Washington Providing Stability Amid Injuries

With multiple starters sidelined, P.J. Washington has emerged as Dallas’ most reliable two-way contributor. Kidd praised Washington’s impact and adaptability earlier this week.

“Just due to the health of our team, we’ve had to go small,” Kidd said. “P.J.’s shown that — being able to shoot the three, playmake, and score. He’s been incredible.”

Washington leads Dallas in minutes played (33.6 per game) while averaging 15.6 points and 8.3 rebounds. His ability to guard multiple positions and generate offense has been crucial for a team navigating a revolving door of injuries.

Jason Kidd: “We’ve Just Gotta Keep Fighting”

Despite dropping four straight games, Kidd said after Friday’s loss that the Mavericks must continue to compete and rely on defense until they regain full health.

“It just happens that we’re struggling early,” Kidd said. “Sometimes it happens in the middle of the season. Sometimes it happens at the end. So we’ve just gotta keep fighting.”

Dallas will face Washington on Saturday night before returning home for a tough four-game stretch against the Bucks, Suns, Clippers, and Trail Blazers.

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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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Klay Thompson, Dereck Lively II Ruled Out As Dallas Mavericks End Road Trip in Washington D.C.

Anthony Davis Questionable as Recovery Progresses