Danté Exum Returns to Mavericks' Lineup After Lengthy Injury Absence: 'It's Been a Long Road'

Danté Exum returned to the Mavericks' lineup after a seven-month injury absence, contributing in limited minutes as Dallas continues its road trip against the Cavaliers.

Photo: Dallas Mavericks

DETROIT — Danté Exum took the floor for the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night, marking his first NBA game in over seven months. His return in a 117-102 loss to the Detroit Pistons was a step forward in the team’s push to get healthy after dealing with numerous injuries.

Exum, who underwent wrist surgery after suffering an injury on the first day of training camp, played 14 minutes off the bench. He finished with three points, two rebounds, one assist, and two turnovers. While his impact was limited, his presence signified the end of a lengthy recovery process.

“It’s been a long road,” Exum said. “A lot of ups and downs. Just the work to get back to this point, it’s been a lot. Unfortunately, we couldn’t win tonight, but there’s still a lot of work to do. Hopefully, I can get back to my normal self as quickly as possible.”

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Exum suffered a torn ligament in his wrist, requiring surgery that sidelined him for the first three months of the season. His return on Friday came with expected challenges, as he showed signs of fatigue and struggled with his shooting, including a missed three-point attempt. He aggressively attacked the rim, drawing a foul on a dunk attempt against Jalen Duren, using his surgically repaired wrist to brace his fall.

“I’m mad at myself for doing it,” Exum said. “But I feel like it’s a hats off to me and the rehab team. It shows that we did our job, and I can come back and fall on it and still get back up. No fear going into the next game.”

Next Steps for Exum and the Mavericks