The Dallas Mavericks will face the Houston Rockets without Luka Dončić (left calf strain), Naji Marshall (suspension), and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) since they’ve already been ruled out as expected. There are other new developments on the injury report.
Kyrie Irving, who missed Monday’s game with right shoulder soreness, is no longer listed on the Mavericks’ injury report. He’s missed four games with injury designations related to his right shoulder. He last delivered a 46-point performance on the second night of a back-to-back against the Portland Trail Blazers in Saturday’s 126-122 loss, playing a combined 79 minutes during these two games. He’s averaging 24.6 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in 29 games.
Since arena entry times rarely allow reporters to watch Irving’s pre-game workouts this season, it’s unclear if he worked out on the court in Sacramento. He also was not seated on the sidelines with the team during the game.
Klay Thompson (illness) is no longer on the injury. He was as late of a scratch as it gets in Sacramento, with head coach Jason Kidd telling reporters about his status despite him not being listed by the Mavericks on their injury report prior. Like Irving, Thompson, averaging 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, wasn’t seated with the team on the bench in Sacramento either.
Dallas Mavericks Injury Statuses to Monitor
Dereck Lively II (left hip contusion) is again listed as questionable. He worked with the training staff, his presence on a four-game road trip would be in vain if he didn’t play in Houston. He’s missed two games since falling hard on Christmas Day in the 105-99 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Mavericks have struggled on the boards and at protecting the rim without Lively, averaging 8.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists this season.
Before facing the Kings, head coach Jason Kidd mentioned that Lively had a “good workout,” which DallasHoopsJournal.com reported earlier in the day. While the Mavericks rarely hold shootarounds at this stage, the team seemingly had an optional one at Golden 1 Center without media availability, allowing injured players to do rehab. Lively worked with the training staff there and similarly did in Portland.
“ He had a good workout today, so hopefully, we can start the new year off with some healthy bodies,” Kidd said of Lively. “But he had a good day today. He’s trending in the right direction.”
Latest on Luka Dončić and Others
There is nothing new regarding Dončić or Exum. They each remain sidelined without a clear timetable for a return until a new development occurs. The Mavericks announced on Saturday that Dončić would be re-evaluated within one month.
Meanwhile, Marshall still has two more games before his suspension ends, including the Mavericks’ matchup against Houston.
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks will tip off against the Rockets at 7 p.m. CST on Wednesday at Toyota Center. On Friday, they will return home to face the Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to the road.
