Luka Dončić and Daniel Gafford Practice Before Mavericks Road Trip, Klay Thompson Did Not: Full Injury Updates
Luka Dončić progresses in practice as the Mavericks prepare for back-to-back games. Updates on Klay Thompson and Daniel Gafford’s status included.
DALLAS—After having Thursday off for Thanksgiving, the Dallas Mavericks returned to practice on Friday before departing for Salt Lake City. This will begin a two-game back-to-back with matchups against the Jazz and Portland Trail Blazers.
Luka Dončić has been sidelined for the Mavericks’ previous four games due to a right wrist sprain and participated in Friday’s practice, including 5-on-5 action with low minutes players and some coaches. This development comes after going through a pre-game workout before Wednesday’s 129-114 victory over the New York Knicks with his wrist taped.
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It remains to be seen if Dončić will be available to play in either of the Mavericks’ two upcoming road games. However, there is clear optimism about his progression, with head coach Jason Kidd saying he “looked good.”
“He did practice today. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Kidd said about Dončić.
The Mavericks will be eager to get Dončić back in the lineup amid a season in which he’s averaging 28.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. While the team has managed to get by without him, with strong production from role players like Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington, especially, Dallas needs its best player on the floor, but it will naturally have some adjustment period.
“I think it goes both ways—adjusting to Luka, but also him adjusting to the new pieces around him,” Kidd said. “With Klay, understanding what P.J. is doing right now, and then Marshall, there will be certain lineups where he’s with different guys. He just has to understand how to work with those pieces, and he’ll be fine with that.”
Thompson (left foot plantar fascia) and Gafford (illness) were sidelined for Wednesday’s game. However, both players participated in practice. While Gafford returned to practice, Thompson did not.
Thompson’s absence reached two games after not playing against New York. Kidd mentioned it being unclear when Thompson’s foot began bothering him. However, it doesn’t sound like an injury that’s lingered, saying, “Not that I know of. This is the first that his foot has been bothering him.”
Kidd added that Thompson “looked good, for what he can do here.”
During the open viewing portion of practice, Thompson got in catch-and-shoot reps and worked on his floater. He shot it well when we could watch, including a streak of a perfect 10-of-10 from the corner.
Danté Exum remains sidelined as he recovers from right wrist surgery. There isn’t a new update about his status at this time. He’s continued doing left-hand workouts while having his right hand protected.
The Mavericks have navigated injuries well, particularly while Dončić has missed five of the team’s previous six games. Dallas has gone 4-1 in those situations, including a hard-fought road victory over the Denver Nuggets and a 2-1 record on a road trip, followed by a blowout home victory over a talented Knicks team.
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