Naji Marshall Ruled Out Against Raptors, Mavericks Have New Jaden Hardy Injury Update
The Mavericks (15-8) face the Raptors (7-16) without Naji Marshall (illness) and likely Jaden Hardy (ankle) as they aim to extend their hot streak.
TORONTO — When the Dallas Mavericks (15-8) face the Toronto Raptors (7-16), they will do so without Naji Marshall in the lineup. He will miss his fourth consecutive full game while carrying an illness designation. The Mavs have won 10 of their last 11 games and will look to continue the momentum against their rebuilding opponent.
Jaden Hardy injured his right ankle in the fourth quarter of Thursday’s 137-101 victory over the Washington Wizards. Hardy’s injury designation is a sprain, and he is considered doubtful about playing in Toronto. He took a while to get off the floor but could walk alone. It was an unfortunate injury, considering he wasn’t in the rotation for this game and only played six minutes.
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A clear timetable for Marshall’s return has yet to be communicated, but the current focus may be on his return to competition conditioning. This is a logical possibility, considering he not only traveled with the Mavericks for this road trip but was active on the Mavericks’ bench throughout the game against the Wizards.
Marshall last played on November 30, during the first half of the Mavericks’ 106-94 victory over the Utah Jazz. His illness was initially described as upper respiratory illness, but it was later defined as an illness. He did not play in the second half at Delta Center and missed the next three games.
Before dealing with illness, Marshall was on a very impressive trajectory. He averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 20 games, including a four-game stretch of scoring 20 or more points before his performance in Utah that ended early.
While it can change, the Mavericks are scheduled to hold a shootaround at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. It could provide some insight into Marshall’s status. If he goes through a return-to-competition workout, it’d be a good signal of his progress. Hardy being on the court in any capacity would be a positive development as well.
As for the Raptors, Jakob Poeltl (illness) and Kelly Olynyk (lumbar strain) are questionable to play, while Bruce Brown (return to competition reconditioning) and Immanuel Quickley (partial UCL tear) have been ruled out. Davion Mitchell was later added to Toronto’s injury report as questionable with right hip stiffness.
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