The Dallas Mavericks announced Friday that guard Dante Exum sustained a right wrist injury during training camp and is undergoing further evaluation. The team will provide more information as it becomes available.
Exum’s injury comes on the heels of Luka Dončić suffering a left calf contusion, which has already sidelined him from practice. Head coach Jason Kidd reassured fans that there’s ‘no concern’ regarding Dončić’s availability for the regular season, though he will miss Monday’s preseason opener against the Memphis Grizzlies as he recovers.
Danté Exum, who played 55 games for Dallas last season after joining from Serbia’s Partizan Belgrade, was a key contributor off the bench, averaging 7.8 points and 2.9 assists in 19.8 minutes per game. His absence will likely force the Mavericks to rely more heavily on their deep guard rotation, which includes Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy.
Kidd emphasized the importance of the team’s depth and the high level of competition during training camp. “The depth of our team, when you look at Spencer, definitely helps us,” Kidd said. “He gives us options that we might not have had before. But we’ve had him before, so we know what he’s capable of doing. Hopefully, we can get him on the floor with the right combination.”
Dinwiddie, who returned to the Mavericks this offseason, is expected to take on a larger role with Exum sidelined. Kidd has been impressed with how players have stepped up during camp, especially with some players missing time. “It’s not just about dealing with injuries but also maximizing the rotation,” Kidd noted. “With some guys out right now, others have really stepped up.”
Jaden Hardy is another player expected to see increased opportunities. Kidd praised Hardy’s performance throughout the week, noting his growth on both ends of the floor. “Hardy’s been great this week,” Kidd said. “Offensively, he’s making plays, scoring, and defensively, he’s competing at a high level. We look for him to continue that form.”
In addition to Dinwiddie and Hardy, Quentin Grimes, who was acquired via trade this offseason, will likely be called upon to fill the gap left by Exum’s absence. Dallas added Grimes to bolster their backcourt depth, and his ability to contribute on both ends will be tested earlier than anticipated.
The Mavericks face the San Antonio Spurs in their regular-season opener on Oct. 24 at the American Airlines Center.
