Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving, and P.J. Washington return as the Dallas Mavericks aim to bounce back against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have many positive developments regarding injuries ahead of tipoff against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday night.
P.J. Washington began the day listed as doubtful to play with a right knee sprain, but his status was upgraded twice before being announced as available. Luka Dončić (right knee contusion) and Naji Marshall (illness) were game-time decisions before being upgraded to available. Meanwhile, Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) and Jazian Gortman (G League) are out.
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With a right shoulder strain, Kyrie Irving missed Thursday’s loss against the Jazz but was removed from the injury report upon Friday’s initial submission. He will play against the Spurs as the team seeks to turn their recent slide around.
Dallas made many starting lineup changes against the Jazz, including Dereck Lively II, Maxi Kleber, and Quentin Grimes, all playing in the first unit. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd mentioned that Washington will likely start after Thursday’s loss.
“Yeah, it’s fluid,” Kidd said about the starting lineup. “Just looking at the energy. I thought the group did a great job. Again, we won the first quarter, but as we get healthy, we’ll look at it again and see if there could be a change. Most likely, there will be a change when P.J. comes back.”
The Mavericks will welcome back Washington with a need to improve their on-ball defensive containment, rebounding on both ends and just general performance. This team has thrived with him on the court.
The Spurs will be without Victor Wembanyama due to a right knee contusion. San Antonio interim head coach Mitch Johnson confirmed that Zach Collins will start in Wembanyama’s place. Charles Bassey is expected to get minutes off the bench to help fill the void in the frontcourt.
The Spurs will also be without Jeremy Sochan (left thumb surgery), Devin Vassell (right foot injury management), and two-way players David Duke Jr., Harrison Ingram, and Riley Minix.
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