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Dallas Mavericks’ Injury Report Features Five Players Out As Team Ends Back-To-Back Against LA Clippers

Grant AfsethGrant Afsethno comment
Klay Thompson, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Gabe Vincent, NBA News
Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Dallas Mavericks will be without six rotation players Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, a stretch of absences that will again force head coach Jason Kidd to reconfigure his lineup and lean heavily on inexperienced groups. Anthony Davis, who made his return Friday after missing a month with a left calf strain, will sit out the second game of the back-to-back as part of the team’s planned recovery ramp-up.

Davis logged 28 minutes in Friday’s 129–119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in his first game since Oct. 29. He said afterward that the short rotation bursts were the biggest adjustment.

“Even through the first three quarters, playing five minutes is definitely a short stint, and I’m used to playing nine minutes or the whole first quarter,” Davis said. “It was definitely different for rhythm and just for the mental. I’ll get some good work in tomorrow and see how I feel and then get ready for Denver on Monday.”

Kidd confirmed before the Lakers game that Davis would only appear in one leg of the back-to-back, emphasizing a cautious approach.

“We’re looking at 24 to 27,” Kidd said. “This is his first game back, so having someone we can play through on offense, but also someone defensively that can change shots and help us rebound the ball. For tonight, I just want a positive experience.”

Lively Out for Road Trip, Exum Out for the Season, Thompson and Gafford Remain Sidelined

The Mavericks will also be without Dereck Lively II, who is dealing with swelling and discomfort in his right foot. On Nov. 25, the team announced Lively would miss the entire three-game road trip and be re-evaluated in 7–10 days. He has averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in seven appearances.

Danté Exum was recently ruled out for the remainder of the year with a right knee injury despite not playing a game this season. His loss further stretches a Mavericks backcourt already without Kyrie Irving, who continues to recover from left knee surgery.

Klay Thompson will miss his second straight game due to left knee injury management. Thompson has averaged 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists through 19 games.

Daniel Gafford remains out with right ankle injury management after re-aggravating the same ankle multiple times since training camp. He did not play in the second game of the Mavericks’ last back-to-back on Nov. 17 and will sit again Saturday. Gafford has averaged 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 14 games.

Young Core Carrying the Scoring Load Amid Injuries

The injuries have placed significant responsibility on Dallas’ young core. P.J. Washington continued his strong play Friday with 22 points and nine rebounds, while rookie forward Cooper Flagg delivered another high-level all-around performance with 13 points, seven rebounds, and 11 assists. Flagg has averaged 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 19 games, and his playmaking responsibilities have expanded with the team’s guard depth decimated.

Ryan Nembhard, who made his first NBA start earlier in the week, followed it with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting against the Lakers. Kidd said before the game that Nembhard and Brandon Williams have earned extended opportunities as the team continues to search for stability at the point guard spot.

“We want to look at the two guards, Ryan and B-Will,” Kidd said. “A lot of times, with three point guards, you try to play everybody. But we’re just trying to get some minutes to see if we can be consistent here.”

Williams added 11 points, three rebounds, and three assists in 24 minutes Friday, and the second-year guard has positioned himself firmly in the rotation. He has averaged 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 18 games, emerging as one of the Mavericks’ brightest developmental success stories. D’Angelo Russell, meanwhile, recorded a DNP–Coach’s Decision for the first time this season after playing only 10 minutes Wednesday in Miami.

Max Christie contributed 13 points and three made threes Friday, and with Dallas short on wings, Naji Marshall and Caleb Martin are both positioned for increased workloads. Martin and Marshall combined for 26 points and 11 rebounds against the Lakers.

Moussa Cissé and Dwight Powell Step Into Expanded Roles With Frontcourt Empty

With Davis, Gafford, and Lively all sidelined Saturday, the Mavericks will again turn to Moussa Cissé and Dwight Powell at center. Cissé has become an unexpected but necessary rotation presence over the last few weeks.

“There’s a lot of things I learned — the pace, the placement, how to put myself in position to be successful on the court,” Cissé told Ratings. “Most definitely pick-and-roll coverages and the physicality… coming in as a young guy, you have to adapt to that physicality.”

Kidd said Cissé’s motor has repeatedly shifted momentum this season.

“Moussa has been really good for us,” Kidd said. “His hustle, his effort… being able to come up with big plays, blocking shots, coming up with offensive rebounds and giving us second opportunities.”

When Cissé has played at least 10 minutes this season, he has averaged 6.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.1 blocks while shooting 66.7 percent.

Powell, the longest-tenured Maverick, is expected to see a larger role despite playing only one minute Friday. His screening, energy, and communication remain stabilizing factors in thin rotations, and with Dallas entering the night without three centers, the team will lean on his reliability.

Despite Injuries, Anthony Davis Says Dallas Mavericks Are “Right There”

Even with the Mavericks sitting at 5–15 and staring at another shorthanded lineup, Davis said Friday that the team’s belief has not wavered.

“We’re still playing basketball, we’re trying to compete,” Davis said. “We’re playing for each other and we’re playing together… I feel like we’re right there.”

Dallas concludes its back-to-back at Intuit Dome on Saturday before preparing to face the Denver Nuggets on Monday, a game in which Davis is expected to return.

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Tags :Anthony DavisBrandon WilliamsCooper FlaggDallas MavericksDaniel GaffordDereck Lively IIKlay ThompsonLos Angeles ClippersMoussa CisséNBANBA Injury ReportNBA NewsRyan 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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