The injury bug has bitten the Dallas Mavericks hard, leaving their frontcourt decimated and their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. In a season already rocked by the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade, the basketball gods have dealt the Mavs another cruel blow.
Gafford Goes Down
The latest casualty is center Daniel Gafford, who will miss at least six weeks with a Grade 3 MCL sprain in his right knee suffered against the Kings. The 24-year-old had been a bright spot, providing rim protection and athletic finishes. His absence leaves a gaping hole in the middle.
Davis Dilemma Continues
Compounding matters, prized acquisition Anthony Davis remains out with a lingering adductor strain. The All-Star big man, centerpiece of the Doncic deal, has played a grand total of one game for Dallas. The Mavs are wisely taking the long view with AD, but desperately need his two-way impact.
Lively, Powell Also Shelved
It gets worse. Rookie Dereck Lively II, the starting center to open the year, has missed a month with a stress fracture in his ankle. Veteran Dwight Powell has been sidelined for 14 games by a hip issue. The Mavs are down to the bare bones up front.
Next Man Up
With necessity as the mother of invention, Dallas has turned to unheralded two-way player Kessler Edwards as an emergency small-ball 5. The 6’7″ forward helped the Mavs gut out wins over the Warriors and Heat. But is that sustainable?
Injuries are part of the game, but this is ridiculous. We can’t catch a break with our bigs. Just gotta keep fighting with who we got and weather the storm until reinforcements arrive.
Mavs coach Bryson Warren
Silver Linings Playbook?
If there’s a bright side, it’s the emergence of young talent like Edwards and rookie guard E’Tae Daye, thrust into larger roles. The Mavs will need their entire roster to step up to stay afloat in the merciless Western Conference.
- The Mavs currently sit 10th in the West
- 8 of their next 10 games are against playoff teams
- 13 of their last 25 are on the road
The schedule does Dallas no favors. Every game is crucial with time running out to make up ground. The Mavs have dealt with adversity all year long. This is their greatest test yet.
They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The Mavericks better hope that old adage proves true. Because from the looks of their injury report, it may be now or never for this proud franchise’s playoff dreams.
