The Dallas Mavericks could again be without several key rotation players on Friday, as head coach Jason Kidd said the team is still awaiting clarity on the status of P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Anthony Davis. All three were officially listed as questionable after completing varying levels of on-court work Thursday.
“PJ’s questionable for tomorrow. Lively is questionable. Davis is questionable,” Kidd said following practice. “Kai’s out. Exum is out. AD is progressing. He’s doing well. He did court work today. D-Live continues to improve. He also did some court work.”
Washington is still being evaluated after suffering a shoulder injury Wednesday night, and Kidd said the team will need to see how he responds Friday morning.
“With PJ, they’re still evaluating,” he said. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”
Irving and Exum remain sidelined, leaving Dallas uncertain at multiple positions as it nears the end of a challenging week marked by injuries and inconsistent fourth-quarter execution.
Turnovers Continue to Loom Over Dallas Mavericks’ Late-Game Struggles
Kidd said the staff dedicated a significant portion of Thursday’s film session to addressing the team’s turnover issues, which have repeatedly derailed fourth-quarter possessions.
“Fourth quarters, we’re 28th in turnovers,” Kidd said. “We’re turning the ball over way too many times. And if we’re down, that puts a lot of pressure on our defense. We talked about how we can be patient. We don’t have to force anything.”
The Mavericks used practice to clean up spacing and decision-making, hoping to limit the giveaways that have contributed to early-season frustration.
Cooper Flagg’s Development Remains a Priority at Age 18
With several veterans out, rookie Cooper Flagg has played extended minutes and carried a heavy role in recent games. Kidd said the organization views every mistake as part of the process.
“Cooper’s 18 years old playing the game at a high level for us, and he’s going to make mistakes just like anybody else,” Kidd said. “Those are teaching moments. We’re teaching him with film, we’re teaching him on the floor, and he’s going to learn in-game.”
Kidd added that having a true point guard on the floor has helped Flagg conserve energy and attack more efficiently after beginning the season as a primary initiator.
“Maybe it saved a little bit of the energy for him to be aggressive and attack,” Kidd said. “If we were healthy, I think it looks a little different with Kai and AD on the floor. He has a third or fourth defender, and he’d be able to take advantage of that. Even with the first defender, he’s still able to score and make plays.”
Defensive Playmaking and Moussa Cissé’s Energy Stand Out
Flagg’s block on Devin Booker drew attention Wednesday, and Kidd said the rookie continues to impress on both ends.
“Off-ball is great. On-ball is very impressive,” Kidd said. “He’s had a couple of those when guys are driving and he comes up with blocks. He plays both sides of the ball at a high level. We need that. That block on Book was big time.”
Kidd also pointed to Moussa Cissé’s activity as an important lift amid the team’s frontcourt absences.
“Mu’s energy in practice and walkthroughs is high,” Kidd said. “Seeing him being able to rim run, defensively block shots, rebound for us, change shots — it’s something we need. The team feeds off his energy.”
Klay Thompson’s Shooting Remains Key With Injuries Mounting
Klay Thompson attempted 16 shots Wednesday, and Kidd said Dallas needs him to continue taking — and making — a high volume of threes while the roster remains thin.
“When he’s making them, it’s big because it gives space for everybody else,” Kidd said. “He’s shooting the ball better as time has gone here. We need him.”
Flagg’s ability to punish defenders going under screens is also becoming part of the offense.
“If the defense goes under, that’s a green light to shoot,” Kidd said. “His ability to read off the dribble is just as good as catch-and-shoot.”
Keys vs. Clippers: James Harden’s Creation, Physicality, and Interior Defense
Looking ahead, Kidd said the Mavericks will need to handle Los Angeles’ physical style and limit James Harden’s ability to dictate tempo.
“He’s one of the best at finding teammates but also scoring and shooting the three,” Kidd said.
Kidd also highlighted the challenge of guarding the Clippers’ center.
“Zach in the middle — he’s seeing more double teams this year than last year, but he’s improved again,” Kidd said. “He’s a dominant center in this league. We’ve got to keep him out of the paint.”
With injuries thinning the rotation, Kidd said execution must tighten across the board — especially in the half court.
“If we can hang onto the ball, I think the shooting is starting to turn for us,” he said.
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