Dallas Mavericks Rule Out For P.J. Washington And Daniel Gafford Before Oklahoma City Thunder Game
What was already shaping up to be the Dallas Mavericks’ toughest test of the season grew even more complicated Friday morning, when the team ruled out P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford ahead of its matchup with the 21–1 Oklahoma City Thunder. Neither player was present at shootaround, signaling early that the Mavericks would again be forced to adjust their rotation on the fly.
Washington will miss his fourth straight game as he continues to recover from a right ankle sprain. Gafford, who re-aggravated his right ankle Wednesday against Miami, was unable to complete pregame work and was quickly downgraded to out. Both players had been listed as questionable the previous day, but their absence from shootaround left little doubt.
The Mavericks are now without three rotation bigs — Washington, Gafford and Dereck Lively II — against a Thunder team riding a 13-game winning streak and off to one of the most dominant starts in league history. Lively remains out while seeking multiple opinions for swelling and discomfort in his right foot.
Dallas Mavericks’ Frontcourt Depth at Its Thinnest
With Washington and Gafford sidelined and Lively unavailable for the sixth straight game, Dallas’ interior options shrink even further. Anthony Davis, who recently returned from a 14-game absence due to a left calf strain, now becomes indispensable against one of the league’s most physical, interior-oriented teams.
Davis has looked increasingly comfortable since returning, and his presence has been a catalyst for the Mavericks’ three-game winning streak. Cooper Flagg said Davis’ return has transformed the offensive spacing and unlocked new cutting and finishing opportunities for the rookie.
“It’s so much better when he’s out there,” Flagg said. “Guys are going to double him and now I’m finding cutting lanes and kind of playing off of him. It’s been a treat to be alongside him. He makes us so much better.”
But without Washington and Gafford, Davis will shoulder a workload far heavier than the Mavericks would prefer on the second leg of a demanding stretch of the schedule. Dallas will likely lean on two-way center Moussa Cisse for additional minutes, and small-ball forwards may need to absorb defensive assignments normally handled by Washington.
Cooper Flagg’s Sharp Rise to the Spotlight
The Mavericks enter Oklahoma City riding their first winning streak of the season, in large part due to the emergence of 18-year-old Cooper Flagg. The rookie is averaging 27.0 points during the streak on 59.3% shooting, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 20 or more points in three straight games.
The moment represents a dramatic shift from the first meeting between these teams, when Flagg had a season-low two points on 1-of-9 shooting in a 101–94 loss in Dallas. That game stood as a reminder of how steep the learning curve can be for even the most talented rookies — and how quickly the league adjusts.
Now, as Dallas prepares for its second test against the Thunder, Flagg appears far more assertive and composed. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said the team has relied on him heavily on both ends.
“He’s been big for us,” Kidd said. “We’ve leaned on him on both ends of the floor. … He makes winning plays, not just in the clutch but throughout the game.”
Friday’s game will test how much that growth translates against a team with elite defensive versatility.
Ryan Nembhard Gives Dallas a New Offensive Organizer
The first time Dallas faced Oklahoma City, Ryan Nembhard was still a reserve guard fighting for rotation minutes. Since then, his rise has reshaped the Mavericks’ offense.
Across wins over Denver and Miami, Nembhard totaled 43 points, 23 assists and only one turnover — a historic early-career stretch for an undrafted rookie. His presence has stabilized the Mavericks’ tempo and half-court execution during a period marked by overlapping injuries.
“He just makes everybody better out there,” Flagg said. “He’s been ultra-confident.”
Nembhard’s poise takes on greater importance with Washington and Gafford out, as the Mavericks will need to maximize offensive efficiency and limit wasted possessions against the league’s No. 1 defense.
Oklahoma City Thunder Rolling Into the Matchup at Historic Pace
At 21–1, Oklahoma City is off to the best start since the 2015–16 Warriors opened 24–0, winning 13 straight games entering Friday. After beginning their streak with nine consecutive double-digit victories, the Thunder have won their last four by an average of eight points — a shift reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander believes has strengthened the group.
“Every game in the NBA is going to look different every night,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “I think it’s a skill that you have to learn and develop as a team — to just roll with the punches and just take whatever the game, whatever the team, whatever the night gives you and figure out how to come out on top.”
Oklahoma City will again be without Isaiah Hartenstein, who is expected to miss a fourth straight game. Alex Caruso and Luguentz Dort also remain uncertain after recent absences. Even so, the Thunder have continued winning behind elite two-way play and the return of Jalen Williams.
A Difficult Road Test for a Short-Handed Mavericks Squad
Across the board, Dallas is shorthanded at the worst possible time. The Mavericks have won three straight and are beginning to show signs of cohesion, but facing a historically dominant opponent without three key frontcourt contributors — and without Kyrie Irving and Danté Exum — represents a daunting challenge.
Dallas did win twice in Oklahoma City last season, offering a small source of confidence. But to repeat that success, the Mavericks will need near-flawless execution from Davis, Flagg and Nembhard while testing the limits of their depth.
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