Mavericks Add P.J. Washington and Maxi Kleber to Injury Report Before Cavaliers Matchup

The Dallas Mavericks already face the challenge of needing to tread water without Luka Dončić throughout possibly all of January as he recovers from a left calf strain. They will continue without Naji Marshall (suspension) and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) when facing the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.

The Mavericks added new names to their latest injury report. P.J. Washington (right knee sprain) and Maxi Kleber (right oblique strain) are each questionable to play.

Washington sprained his knee during the second quarter of Wednesday’s 110-99 loss against the Houston Rockets, causing him to be ruled out for the entire second half. He didn’t return to the Mavericks’ bench for the remainder of the night. He similarly sprained his right knee in November, causing him to miss five games.

“P.J.‘s a big part of it,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said about losing Washington to injury. “It’s a challenge for our guys, but next man up. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough firepower tonight to win.”

Overcoming P.J. Washington’s Absence

The power forward position faces major questions if either Washington or Kleber gets ruled out. Kleber played 30 minutes and started the second half on Wednesday after Washington was ruled out. Olivier-Maxence Prosper has become a more relied-on option as a “next man up” when power forward injuries add up. Kessler Edwards has served as an emergency option.

Washington, averaging 12.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists, was described by Quentin Grimes as possibly being the Mavericks’ “most important guy” for doing the little things and providing versatility.

“He’s kind of our most important guy we have on the court,” Grimes said. “He does it all – shoots, defends. Everything he does he impacts the game, so it’s tough knowing that we didn’t have kind of our most important guy on this team.

“But we’ve got plenty of guys that can kind go out and fill a role and just try to impact the game like he does,” Grimes added. “But it’s tough when you’ve got the guy who does so much for us go out in the second half.”

Dereck Lively II Makes Successful Return

At least one positive injury development for the Mavericks was the return of Dereck Lively II after a three-game absence. He fell hard in the Christmas Day loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves but returned to play 20 minutes against the Rockets after entering with a 15-to-18-minute restriction. 

Lively totaled eight points, six rebounds, six assists, and four blocks, making a clear difference when he was on the court. The ideal scenario for the Mavericks is that he can handle an even more significant workload and find his typical rhythm on both ends to elevate the unit.

“He was good,” Kidd said of Lively. “With the minutes that he could play, he was productive, and hopefully, we can build on those minutes.”

Dallas Mavericks Continue Navigating Injuries

After going 1-3 on a four-game road trip, the Mavericks have been unable to replicate the initial success the team achieved while trying to overcome Dončić’s absence. With Washington and Marshall sidelined for Friday’s game against the Cavaliers, it’ll be a tall task for Dallas to overcome injuries against an elite team.

“There’s going to be a time when we go on a great run when we’re completely whole,” Klay Thompson said. “That’s the nature of the business. You’ve got to hold down the fort when guys are out.

“When we’re a complete team, I think we’re one of the better teams in the league. But that’s what makes great runs that much sweeter: times of adversity, especially when guys are in and out of the lineup. This is the time to be tested and see how we respond.”

Marshall’s four-game suspension ends after the Mavericks’ matchup against the Cavaliers, meaning he will be eligible to play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday. Regardless, it doesn’t get any easier for the Mavericks as they will play back-to-back on the road against Memphis on Monday, followed by hosting the Los Angeles Lakers the next night. Two matchups against the Denver Nuggets loom later in January as well.

The Mavericks are scheduled to tip off against the Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. CT.