| News |
|---|
|
Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (knee) cleared to play in Game 1
Tue, May 7, 2024, 2:06 PM
Rylan Stiles on X
Luka Doncic (right knee sprain) will play in Game 1 against the Thunder on Tuesday.
Analysis: As expected, Luka will be available to play after initially being listed as probable. He continues to deal with this sprain in his right knee, but it hasn't forced him to miss a postseason game, and it is unlikely that it will. |
|
Tim Hardaway Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) available Tuesday
Mon, May 6, 2024, 8:06 AM
Grant Afseth on Twitter
Tim Hardaway Jr. is available for Tuesday's Game 1 against the Thunder.
Analysis: THJ sat out Games 3-6 of Dallas' first-round series against the Clippers, but he'll be good to go for Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals. He averaged 14.4 points and 2.7 triples in the regular season, so his return will be a welcomed sight to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving thanks to his scoring and floor spacing. |
|
Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber to be re-evaluated in three weeks
Sun, May 5, 2024, 6:07 AM
Dallas Mavericks PR on X
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder AC joint separation) will be re-evaluated in three weeks.
Analysis: There were reports on Saturday that Kleber would miss âa significant amount of timeâ, but if Dallas makes it to the Conference Finals, he could return during that series. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II will fill out the center minutes. |
|
Maxi Kleber Shams: Kleber diagnosed with AC joint dislocation
Sat, May 4, 2024, 9:24 AM
Shams Charania on Twitter
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Maxi Kleber suffered a full dislocation of the AC joint in his right shoulder and will miss a significant amount of time.
Analysis: Kleber injured his shoulder on a hard fall taken during the first half of Friday's Game 6 victory over the Clippers. The veteran forward, who played a vital role off the bench in Dallas' series victory, has not officially been ruled out for the rest of the postseason. However, Kleber stands to miss a significant amount of time. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II should absorb most (if not all) of the minutes that would have gone to Kleber in Dallas' second-round series against Oklahoma City. Game 1 is on Tuesday night. |
|
P.J. Washington PJ Washington hits four triples, scores 14 points
Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:50 PM
P.J. Washington amassed 14 points (4-of-9 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, two steals, and four 3-pointers in 35 minutes in Friday's Game 6 win over the Clippers.
Analysis: Dallas bounced the Clippers in six games, with Washington providing solid supplementary contributions on Friday. Eight of his nine shot attempts came from beyond the arc, a byproduct of playing off Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Washington has been a good fit on both ends of the floor since the Mavericks acquired him at the trade deadline, even if the individual scoring numbers took a hit compared to his production in Charlotte. His rebound, steal, and blocked shot averages increased after the trade, which is what Dallas hoped would happen. Washington and the Mavericks open their second-round series with the Thunder on Tuesday in Oklahoma City. |
|
Daniel Gafford Daniel Gafford scores 13 points in Game 6 victory
Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:41 PM
Daniel Gafford shot 5-of-8 from the field and 3-of-3 from the foul line in Friday's win over the Clippers, amassing 13 points and six rebounds in 22 minutes.
Analysis: Gafford may not record gaudy stat lines, but his addition to the roster has been huge for the Mavericks. Between him and first-round pick Dereck Lively II, Dallas receives what would pass as quality production from the center position. Lively also scored in double figures in the series clincher, tallying 10 points with nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal in 24 minutes off the bench. Gafford and Lively will be critical moving forward, as Thunder rookie Chet Holmgren represents a far different challenge than Ivica Zubac. Oklahoma City will host Game 1 on Tuesday night. |
|
Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving scores 28 second-half points Friday
Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:34 PM
Kyrie Irving finished Friday's 114-101 win over the Clippers with 30 points (11-of-19 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks, and five 3-pointers in 42 minutes.
Analysis: Game 6 was a tale of two halves for Irving, whose increased focus on the defensive end of the floor may have limited his energy on offense. At various points in Friday's win, he was responsible for guarding James Harden or Paul George. After missing both of his field goal attempts and scoring two points in the first half, Kyrie went off in the second. The 28 points tied a career playoff high for most in a half, and he combined with Luka Doncic to score 58 of Dallas' 114 points. Irving must bring similar defensive energy to the table in the second round, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder are up next. Game 1 of that series is on Tuesday. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Doncic tallies 28 points, 13 assists Friday
Fri, May 3, 2024, 6:29 PM
Luka Doncic shot 9-of-26 from the field and 9-of-11 from the foul line in Friday's Game 6 win over the Clippers, tallying 28 points, seven rebounds, 13 assists, one steal, one block, and one 3-pointer in 43 minutes.
Analysis: Doncic was 1-of-10 from three in Game 6, but that issue did not preclude the Mavericks from wrapping up the series in six games. Efficiency was an issue for the Mavericks' star point guard, but that did not sap his overall effectiveness. He'll need to clean that up, as the competition will only get stronger. Doncic and the Mavericks will face Oklahoma City in the second round, with Game 1 scheduled for Tuesday night. |
|
Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (shoulder) doubtful to return Friday
Fri, May 3, 2024, 4:46 PM
Law Murray on Twitter
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder sprain) is doubtful to return to Friday's game against the Clippers.
Analysis: Kleber fell hard on his right shoulder on a shot attempt after colliding with Clippers wing Amir Coffey. The veteran forward did stay in the game to shoot his free throws but was subbed out on the ensuing Clippers possession. Kleber's absence means an increase in minutes for Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. |
|
Tim Hardaway Hardaway Jr., Maxence-Prosper out again Friday
Thu, May 2, 2024, 11:38 AM
NBA Injury Report
Tim Hardaway Jr. (right ankle sprain) and Olivier Maxence-Prosper (left ankle sprain) will remain sidelined for Game 6 against the Clippers on Friday.
Analysis: Both players will remain sidelined once again, which means that Josh Green and Dante Exum will be the primary guard options off the bench. However, with Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving soaking up most of the backcourt minutes, they won't play a significant amount of time. |
|
Dereck Lively The can't miss kid: Dereck Lively II scores 12 PTS
Wed, May 1, 2024, 6:45 PM
Dereck Lively II shot 5-of-5 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Wednesday's 123-93 win over the Clippers, finishing with 12 points, even rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot in 25 minutes.
Analysis: Lively did not miss a shot in Dallas' Game 5 rout, with that production being a byproduct of where he got his looks. Four of the rookie's five makes from the field were dunks, with the fifth being a nine-footer. While there have been some injury-related hiccups, the tandem of Lively and Daniel Gafford (8/5/0/1/1 in 19 minutes) has been just what the doctor ordered for the Mavericks. Dallas will look to close out the series when they host Game 6 on Friday night. |
|
Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber gets hot, hits five 3-pointers Weds.
Wed, May 1, 2024, 6:41 PM
Maxi Kleber made the most of his 19 minutes in Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Clippers, scoring 15 points (5-of-7 FGs) with three rebounds, one assist, and five 3-pointers.
Analysis: After scoring 15 points in the first four games of this series, Kleber matched that output in an impressive shooting performance in Game 5. While he did enter Wednesday shooting 4-of-8 from deep, to put up 15 points with solid volume was something the Clippers may not have expected from Kleber. Whether or not he can carry this performance over into Game 6 remains to be seen, but at the very least, Maxi has given the Clippers something else to think about as they prepare for Friday's game. |
|
Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving limited to 14 points in Game 5 win
Wed, May 1, 2024, 6:36 PM
Kyrie Irving finished Wednesday's 123-93 win over the Clippers with 14 points (6-of-14 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 35 minutes.
Analysis: Irving caught fire in Sunday's Game 4 defeat, shooting 14-of-25 from the field and 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. He cooled off considerably in Game 5, specifically from three (1-of-7), but still managed to shoot 5-of-7 from two. Luka Doncic snapped out of his self-proclaimed funk, and other Mavericks stepped up as they handed the Clippers their worst postseason defeat in franchise history. Dallas takes a 3-2 lead into Friday's Game 6, and it's fair to assume Irving will be better than he was on Wednesday. |
|
Luka Doncic He's back: Luka Doncic scores 35 points in blowout
Wed, May 1, 2024, 6:29 PM
Luka Doncic finished Wednesday's Game 5 win over the Clippers with 35 points (14-of-26 FGs, 5-of-5 FTs), seven rebounds, 10 assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 39 minutes.
Analysis: Having lamented after Game 4 that he wasn't giving star teammate Kyrie Irving enough help, Doncic produced a masterclass despite still dealing with a sprained right knee. He shot 12-of-18 from two and dished out ten assists while only committing two turnovers as Dallas handed the Clippers their largest playoff defeat in franchise history. And as Doncic said in his postgame interview, the âjob isn't done,â as the Mavericks take a 3-2 series lead into Friday's Game 6 in Dallas. Luka getting untracked to the level he did in Game 5 is an ominous development for the Clippers, even if he was just 2-of-8 from three. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (knee) active Wednesday vs. Clippers
Wed, May 1, 2024, 9:04 AM
NBA injury report
Luka Doncic (sprained right knee) is listed as active for Wednesday's Mavericks-Clippers matchup.
Analysis: Doncic is set to suit up despite dealing with a knee injury and an illness. He's fresh off a 29-point triple-double and will likely continue carrying a heavy workload. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (knee) probable Wednesday vs Clippers
Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 7:31 AM
NBA injury report
Luka Doncic (knee) is listed as probable ahead of Wednesday's Mavericks-Clippers meeting.
Analysis: Doncic is likely to play despite the minor knee injury he's dealing with. He recorded a triple-double and played 45 minutes in his last outing, so there's no reason to worry about his production. |
|
Tim Hardaway Tim Hardaway Jr. (ankle) questionable Wednesday
Tue, Apr 30, 2024, 7:27 AM
NBA injury report
Tim Hardaway Jr (right ankle sprain) is listed as questionable for the Mavericks' Game 5 matchup against the Clippers on Wednesday.
Analysis: Hardaway has missed two straight games but could return to the fray on Wednesday. The Mavericks wing has only scored six points in the series, though. |
|
Derrick Jones Derrick Jones Jr. posts 14/7/1/1/1 line in Game 4
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 1:09 PM
Derrick Jones Jr. shot 6-of-9 from the field and 0-of-1 from the foul line in Sunday's loss to the Clippers, accounting for 14 points, seven rebounds, one assist, one steal, one block, and two 3-pointers in 33 minutes.
Analysis: Jones was one of four Mavericks starters to reach double figures in Game 4, which the Mavericks trailed by as much as 31 before rallying during the second half. Since going scoreless in Game 1, Airplane Mode has made at least 50% of his shots in three consecutive games. While the 2-of-3 afternoon from beyond the arc in Game 4 was a departure from the norm for Jones, this was an encouraging sight, as the Mavericks need others to step up in assistance of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Jones will look to build on this performance in Game 5 on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. |
|
Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (knee) records triple-double Sunday
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 1:05 PM
Luka Doncic (right knee soreness) recorded a stat line of 29 points (10-of-24 FGs, 8-of-10 FTs), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 45 minutes in Dallas' Game 4 loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: Doncic and the Mavericks found themselves in an incredibly deep hole, trailing by as much as 31 during the first half. While they rallied to take the lead at one point during the fourth quarter, the Mavericks could not hold on. Doncic recorded the fourth postseason triple-double of his NBA career and his first since Game 1 of a 2021 first-round matchup with the Clippers. Los Angeles won that series in seven games, and their win on Sunday evened this series at two games apiece. Dallas will look to take a 3-2 lead when the series resumes on Wednesday in Los Angeles. |
|
Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving drops in 40 points in Game 4 loss
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 12:57 PM
Kyrie Irving accounted for 40 points (14-of-25 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), seven rebounds, five assists, and six 3-pointers in 45 minutes in Sunday's 116-111 loss to the Clippers.
Analysis: Dallas got off to a brutal start in Game 4, losing the first quarter by a 39-16 margin and trailing by as many as 31 points. But they fought their way back into the game, even leading at one point in the fourth quarter, thanks largely to Irving's offensive mastery. he shot 9-of-17 from the field after halftime, finishing with his first 40-point playoff game since Game 4 of the 2017 NBA Finals as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers. The lone negative for Irving was the turnover count, as he racked up seven. And most of that damage was done before halftime. The Mavericks will look to rebound when the series, which is tied at two games apiece, resumes on Wednesday in Los Angeles. |
Connect With Us:
