DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are hoping to regain their health by mid-March, which would give them a chance to secure a solid playoff position. Coach Jason Kidd acknowledges that achieving good health can be quite uncertain.
“You’re never guaranteed to be healthy,” Kidd remarked after the Mavericks shared that star player Anthony Davis would be sidelined for at least two more weeks while he recovers from a groin injury sustained during his debut with the team. Despite the setback, Kidd noted that Davis is making “good progress.”
Kidd expressed his concerns about the season’s early injuries affecting the team’s performance. He emphasized that it would be beneficial for them to be healthy but stated that they must work with whatever roster they have available. Currently, the Mavericks stand eighth in the Western Conference as they prepare to face the last-place New Orleans Pelicans following the All-Star break. They are within striking distance of the top six teams in the standings, which would allow them to bypass the play-in tournament.
“I would say that our goals are still attainable,” Kidd said, reflecting on the team’s potential if they can regain their health in time. Davis showcased his abilities during his initial game with the Mavericks, where he performed well against Houston but later pulled up with an injury.
Prior to joining Dallas, Davis had missed two games for the Lakers due to an abdominal issue, and he was unable to participate in the first two games with the Mavericks after the significant trade that moved fan-favorite Luka Doncic to Los Angeles. “He’s doing better,” Kidd mentioned, noting he had seen Davis actively working out and shooting on the court.
The ongoing injury issues with Davis have elicited criticism directed at Dallas general manager Nico Harrison regarding the trade, particularly since Doncic had also recently struggled with injuries. Davis has a history of injuries that raises concerns among Mavericks fans, especially given the current situation with the team’s frontcourt.
The injury list has left Dallas without their top three centers—Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Dwight Powell—each of whom is dealing with different injuries and lacks a set timeline for return. Powell appears to be the nearest to returning but is still uncertain.
Adding to the challenges, forward P.J. Washington Jr., who was pivotal during last season’s playoffs, sprained his ankle on the same day Davis got hurt and is currently labeled as questionable for the matchup against the Pelicans. Lively, who has struggled with injuries since being selected in the first round in 2023, is dealing with a stress fracture in his ankle and hasn’t played since January 14. Gafford recently sprained his knee and could be out for an extended period, while Powell has not played in a month due to a hip issue but did participate in non-contact drills recently.
In an effort to bolster their frontcourt depth, the Mavericks signed 7-foot-2 center Moses Brown on a 10-day contract, providing much-needed size while awaiting the return of other players. Previously, the only available big man on the roster was 7-foot Kylor Kelley, a rookie who has had limited playing opportunities due to the team’s injury crisis.
Brown, who has been part of seven different teams in six seasons, formerly played with the Mavericks in 2021-22. The highlight of his career came when he played 43 games with Oklahoma City in 2020-21, achieving career-best averages of 8.6 points and 8.9 rebounds. Overall, Brown averages 5.1 points and 4.8 rebounds throughout his career.
“I see it as a big opportunity,” Brown stated. “They’re going to need size to be able to bang and to deal with the guys that we’re playing against these coming weeks. I’m here for it. I’m 100% ready.”
