Dallas Mavericks Injury Updates: Danté Exum, Caleb Martin & Dennis Smith Jr. Updates From Practice
The Dallas Mavericks entered Tuesday’s practice with encouraging signs on the injury front and a new addition to their training-camp roster, as head coach Jason Kidd continues evaluating combinations ahead of the team’s second preseason game.
The Mavericks opened preseason with a 106-89 win over the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickies Arena on Monday night, highlighted by rookie Cooper Flagg’s impressive debut. The No. 1 overall pick finished with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a block in 14 minutes, showing poise and versatility on both ends.
“Health-wise, great,” Kidd said after Tuesday’s session. “Today was a great practice. Guys got after it. A lot of times after a game you kind of go a little bit easier, but the group did a great job of competing.”
Dallas Mavericks Injury Updates
NBA teams are not required to release formal injury reports until the regular season begins, so preseason availability is typically updated only through limited coaching commentary and team practice observations.
Dennis Smith Jr. participated in about half of Tuesday’s practice as he continues working back toward full activity. He was among the top camp standouts last week.
“Dennis participated in half of practice today, so he was better,” Kidd said. “Danté’s just out — that’s all I can tell you,” he added, referring to Danté Exum, who remains sidelined.
Both Smith and Exum missed Monday’s preseason opener, along with Daniel Gafford and Brandon Williams. Kyrie Irving remains out indefinitely while recovering from offseason knee surgery.
There was positive movement for Caleb Martin, who joined portions of practice for the first time.
“Caleb’s doing good,” Kidd said. “He did some practice today, too. It was good to see him out there.”
Gafford has been recovering from an ankle injury suffered on the first day of training camp. Originally expected to miss two to three weeks after rolling his ankle, the 6-foot-10 center has begun light running and is trending toward a return.
“I saw him with two shoes on — that’s good,” Kidd said with a grin. “He’s feeling better and moving in the right direction.”
Williams, who strained his hamstring early in camp, was projected to miss about a week. The Mavericks have taken a cautious approach as he remains day-to-day as he works back to full speed.
Jason Kidd Balancing Health and Evaluation
Operating with a 21-man training-camp roster, the Mavericks are using their limited preseason slate as part of a broader evaluation process. Kidd reiterated that lineup and rotation decisions will extend through the remainder of camp.
“You only play four preseason games, and I think being able to use practice with different combinations — we’ll do that all the way up to the 21st [to] figure out who the starters are [and] who’s coming off the bench first or second,” Kidd said. “Sometimes people look at training camp as the one week we were in Vancouver, but we look at it more as training camp goes until the 21st.”
Even with several players unavailable Monday, Dallas dressed 16 players and showcased its depth. Kidd said he’s “tinkering all the time,” using scrimmages to test lineups and build cohesion before the regular season.
Dalano Banton Joins Camp on Exhibit 10 Deal
The Mavericks added another versatile piece Tuesday, signing Dalano Banton to an Exhibit 10 contract, sources confirmed to DallasHoopsJournal.com. The 6-foot-9 Canadian guard brings length and secondary playmaking to a crowded backcourt competition.
“A Canadian kid, big guard who can pass,” Kidd said. “We’ve seen him on the other side — had a good game against us last year. … He practiced a little bit with us today — first day — and it’s good to have him with us.”
Banton has averaged 6.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.0 assists across 216 career NBA games with Toronto, Boston, and Portland. His deal allows him to compete for a roster spot during preseason and, if waived, remain eligible to join the Texas Legends, Dallas’ G League affiliate, with a potential bonus of up to $85,300.
While Banton is ineligible, the Mavericks still have one two-way slot open as camp evaluations continue.
Cooper Flagg’s Debut Highlights Team Direction
While the team continues to manage injuries, the spotlight from Monday’s win belonged to Cooper Flagg. The 18-year-old showed confidence in his decision-making and adaptability within Dallas’ pace-oriented system.
“He was great,” Kidd said. “Cooper did an incredible job for us. You got to see the defensive side, the play-making, and the scoring ability. He was really, really good tonight.”
The Mavericks will continue practice this week before hosting the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday at American Airlines Center, their lone home preseason game before traveling to Utah and Las Vegas to complete the exhibition schedule.
Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors
- NBA News: Dallas Mavericks Sign Dalano Banton, Waive Matthew Cleveland
- NBA News: “Just Trying To Impact Winning”: D’Angelo Russell Impressing At Dallas Mavericks Camp With Leadership And Shooting
- NBA News: “He Was Consistent All Week”: Naji Marshall Earns Praise As Standout At Dallas Mavericks Training Camp
- NBA News: “He Has The Talent”: Anthony Davis Confident Cooper Flagg Can Guard Kevin Durant, Jimmy Butler Right Away
- NBA News: Inside Dallas Mavericks Training Camp: ‘Championship Habits’ Built in Vancouver
- NBA News: “I’ve Got To Be Vocal”: Anthony Davis Embraces Role As Dallas Mavericks’ Defensive Anchor And Offensive Hub
