The Dallas Mavericks took Monday off after returning from San Francisco following their 143-133 victory over the Golden State Warriors. They returned to practice on Tuesday. The injury front has new developments to monitor before Thursday’s matchup against the LA Clippers.
The headliners of the injury report include Luka Dončić (left heel contusion) and Kyrie Irving (right shoulder soreness), who did not participate in practice. Their statuses will be key to monitor on Wednesday since the team is required to submit a formal injury report to the NBA ahead of Thursday’s game.
In the games Irving has missed this season, the Mavericks have listed right shoulder soreness. However, he hasn’t been sidelined for consecutive games. Dončić has dealt with calf and wrist injuries this season, but it’s the first time he’s had a heel injury listed. Neither appears to be a concern.
Some positive injury developments: Naji Marshall (illness) and Maxi Kleber (illness; rib contusion) returned to practice after not participating before the team departed for San Francisco for their previous game.
Marshall has dealt with illness for multiple weeks at this stage. He returned from a four-game absence in the Mavericks’ 118-104 loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. He posted on social media that he still hadn’t gotten over his illness, later causing him to be ruled out against the Warriors.
During practices last week, Kleber was taking shots and running sprints, which signaled that he’s in the return-to-competition process. He’s been sidelined for the Mavericks’ previous three games.
Regarding the rest of the injury report, the Mavericks have already ruled out Jaden Hardy (right ankle sprain), Danté Exum (right wrist surgery), and Brandon Williams (right thumb sprain) for Thursday’s matchup against the Clippers.
Hardy doesn’t appear too far off from returning, considering he went through a pre-game workout at Chase Center and was getting shots up at the Mavericks’ final practice before flying to San Francisco. He injured his ankle against the Washington Wizards during the Mavericks’ two-game road trip on December 5.
Stay tuned to DallasHoopsJournal.com for more updates from Wednesday’s practice.
