Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington Added to Lengthy Mavericks Injury Report Against Cavaliers
As the Dallas Mavericks gear up to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon, they have a significant potential to be severely shorthanded.
The Mavericks’ main talents, which they’ve relied on to play heavy minutes to set the tone, include Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford, and P.J. Washington. They are listed as questionable on the injury report before Dallas faces the Cavaliers.
The Mavericks could be without all of their regular centers. They already remain without Dereck Lively II (right ankle stress fracture), Maxi Kleber (right foot fracture), and Dwight Powell (right hip strain). However, the team added Gafford as questionable due to left ankle soreness.
Against a frontcourt that boasts Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen, the Mavericks face their most dire injury situation in that position group at arguably the worst time.
If Gafford or Washington cannot play, the Mavericks would need to rely significantly more on recent two-way contract signee Kylor Kelley. If both veterans get ruled out, Dallas would need to get creative with small combinations, potentially relying on a wing like Olivier-Maxence Prosper to take minutes at that spot.
While the Mavericks regained Danté Exum after a lengthy recovery from right wrist surgery, the team could be without Irving due to right shoulder soreness and continues to play without Luka Dončić (left calf strain). Irving has missed four games due to right shoulder injuries this season and was seen flexing his shoulder after a drive during Friday’s 117-102 loss against the Detroit Pistons.
A loss against the Cavaliers would drop the ninth-ranked Mavericks to just two games above .500, with the Sacramento Kings already within one game in the Western Conference standings.
As Dončić approaches a long-awaited return with an expected target of the Mavericks’ matchup against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8, the first game back from the team’s lengthy road trip.
