P.J. Washington and Naji Marshall Headline Lengthy Mavericks Injury Report for NBA Cup Matchup Against Thunder

As the Dallas Mavericks gear up to face the Oklahoma City Thunder in a high-stakes matchup with a trip to Las Vegas in the NBA Cup Semifinal on the line, the team got in a rare practice at their training facility in Texas before crossing the Red River ahead of Tuesday’s game.

Given how often the Mavericks have dealt with illnesses in recent weeks, the injury report has become vital to monitor. Due to illness, Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington are both questionable to play in Oklahoma City. However, Maxi Kleber, who missed Saturday’s 125-118 victory over the Toronto Raptors, is already ruled out due to illness, while Jaden Hardy’s right ankle sprain will keep him out as well. Danté Exum remains sidelined as he recovers from right wrist surgery.

P.J. Washington Has Been Vital

Against the Raptors, Washington played 34 minutes and finished with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block. He shot 4-of-12 from the floor and 0-of-6 from beyond the arc. Considering how impressive he’s been this season, it was a rare off night for him offensively, but he still provided necessary defensive contributions.

Washington’s impact against the Thunder is well documented. He’s averaged 19.0 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 2.0 assists against Oklahoma City since the start of the Western Conference semifinals. With Luka Dončić sidelined, Washington’s previous performance was instrumental in leading Dallas to victory by recording 27 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.

Regardless of the matchup, Washington’s presence has been instrumental for the Mavericks since he arrived in Dallas. The Mavericks have gone 15-4 this season when he plays versus 1-4 without him. Since being traded to the Mavs, they have gone 49-21 (including playoffs) when he’s in the lineup compared to 1-5 without him.

Naji Marshall is Progressing

Marshall has progressed toward returning to competition. On Sunday, he went through multiple workouts at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. A lengthy on-court workout in pre-game tends to be a strong indication of an imminent return to the lineup. Marshall did just that in Canada.

Marshall has missed the Mavericks’ previous four games after being held out after halftime of the team’s November 30 matchup against the Utah Jazz with an upper respiratory illness designation. He’s averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 20 games this season, producing the best season of his career, including a recent stretch scoring 20 or more points in four consecutive games before dealing with illness in Salt Lake City.

If Marshall could play against the Thunder, it would be a significant lift for the Mavericks. He’s been one of the team’s top on-ball defensive options and has previous success holding his own against Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. If Washington cannot play, this skill from Marshall becomes even more vital.

Dallas Mavericks’ Power Forward Options

The Mavericks’ options at power forward could be very limited if Marshall and Washington join Kleber if they cannot play against the Thunder. A few options include continuing to give Olivier-Maxence Prosper playing time after he played 10 minutes in Toronto and impressed.

“He was great. We talked about him pregame, and he made an incredible impact with the time he had on the floor,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said about Prosper after the victory in Toronto. “Defensively, offensively—he did everything we asked.”

Other creative options could include sliding players down a spot and leveraging Spencer Dinwiddie or Quentin Grimes more in smaller perimeter combinations. Klay Thomson and Luka Dončić can guard different power forward options. Oklahoma City has a smaller perimeter, which makes this an even more viable solution. However, it remains to be seen how necessary that would be.

The Mavericks are confident in their depth and ability to overcome adversity when they encounter it. Many injuries and illnesses have made settling in as a group challenging, but it’s still led to success, with the team winning 11 of its last 12 games. Still, the collective has taken pride in sacrificing for the team’s betterment, even as the situation remains fluid.

“I think we are one of the deepest teams in the league, or we have some of the most skilled guys on our bench, and they’re just waiting for their opportunity,” Kyrie Irving said after Saturday’s victory. “I think you’re seeing a mini-snapshot of what we can possibly be, going into the postseason. But regular season, I think we’re figuring out some of our pace and our rhythm. And when we’re playing with selfless guys, it makes the game a lot easier.”

Looking Ahead

The Mavericks will tip off against the Thunder at Paycom Center late, starting at 8:30 p.m. CST. TNT will televise the matchup. The winner of the game will advance to the NBA Cup Semifinal in Las Vegas with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. The losers of these two games will face each other.