By Jamal Baker
NDG Contributing Writer
Injuries, injuries, and more injuries have crippled a Dallas Mavericks team that currently holds the last spot in the Play-In Tournament as the No. 10 seed. The list of players out nursing an injury include Anthony Davis (adductor), Caleb Martin (hip), Daniel Gafford (knee), PJ Washington (ankle), and most recently Jaden Hardy (ankle) and Kyrie Irving (knee).
Irving went down with what was ruled a left knee sprain during Monday’s game against the Kings on March 3. Showing a true testament of dedication to his teammates and strength, Irving remained in the game to knock down two free throws while not being able to put pressure on his left leg to leave the possibility of him returning to the game open—Irving was ruled out shortly after. The Mavs found out the next day that Irving actually suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his left knee.
“I think we’re just praying for [Kyrie Irving], that he gets better. Like you said, that’s our leader. That’s our guy right there. He’s just everything to the team, so special. And I just hope he gets better, Naji Marshall said following a loss to the Sacramento Kings.
Irving’s injury is a devastating blow to Dallas and now they must try to weather yet another storm or tsunami to be exact. Irving is a nine-time NBA All-Star and is averaging 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists this season. His impact on and off the court is irreplaceable.
While the Mavs hold the No.10 seed, they are only a game and a half behind the Golden State Warriors for the No. 6 seed as of Tuesday March 4. There will certainly be some reshuffling as the current six through ten standings are as followed:
6. Golden State Warriors (33-28)
7. Los Angeles Clippers (32-28)
8. Sacramento Kings (32-28)
9. Minnesota Timberwolves (33-29)
10. Dallas Mavericks (32-30)
The road ahead for Dallas will certainly be a tough one to tread with so many key players out, but head coach Jason Kidd does an admirable job getting the most out of his players and instilling a next man up mentality. Players like Max Christie, Naji Marshall, and Klay Thompson will be counted upon to be key contributors on both sides of the floor.
“Next man up. That’s it. That’s why you have a team. Injuries, illness. We’ve been through this before. Next man up,” Kidd said earlier this season.
According to NBA.com Dallas has the 14th toughest schedule to close out the second half of the season. The Phoenix Suns are 3.5 games behind Dallas for the final Play-In Tournament spot and have the toughest remaining schedule—facing opponents with an average win percentage of 58.5%.
If the Dallas Mavericks can hold the ship steady and go into the Play-In Tournament as a relatively healthy team with Anthony Davis as their leader, they could potentially play spoiler. The downside of entering the Play-In tournament as the No. 10 seed is that there is little room for error—having to win two single elimination games without your unquestioned leader is a tall task. Time will tell if the Dallas Mavericks are up for it.
