Kyrie Irving suffered a devastating ACL tear during the Dallas Mavericks’ 122-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings. Despite the pain, Irving showed his toughness by making two free throws before exiting the game. The injury occurred when he landed awkwardly on his left leg after stepping on Jonas Valančiūnas‘ foot. Now the Mavericks will have to expand Klay Thompson, Max Christie and Naji Marshall’s roles.
Kyrie’s ACL ‘Forcing’ Mavericks To Change Klay Thompson, Max Christie, And Naji Marshall Roles
The Mavericks were already struggling with injuries. Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and P.J. Washington Jr. were all unavailable. To make matters worse, Jaden Hardy sprained his ankle in the third quarter. Head coach Jason Kidd acknowledged the team’s growing injury concerns, stating, “We’re running out of bodies here.”
Dallas currently sits tenth in the Western Conference, just 1.5 games behind the Golden State Warriors for a playoff spot. Fortunately, they have one of the easiest remaining schedules. However, without Irving, their playoff hopes now rest on other key players stepping up.
Klay Thompson Must Adopt a Primary Scorer Role on the Mavericks
The Mavericks acquired Thompson to provide championship experience and elite shooting. Initially, he was expected to play an off-ball role. Now, with Irving out, he will need to become one of the team’s top scoring options.
Thompson currently averages 11.9 field goal attempts per game, excluding Luka Dončić and Anthony Davis. With a lack of offensive firepower, the Mavericks will have to rely on him more. This means Thompson will need to create his own shots, something he rarely did in Golden State.
His primary strength has always been catch-and-shoot opportunities. Kidd and the coaching staff must now find ways to maximize his efficiency in an expanded role. If he adapts well, this adjustment could give Dallas an offensive boost heading into the playoffs.
Naji Marshall Gains an Expanded Role
Marshall was not a heralded addition for Dallas, but he has quietly taken on more responsibilities. He has averaged 12.2 points per game in February while shooting 48.5% from the field.
Initially expected to be a role player, Marshall is now taking more shots and playing extended minutes. He thrives around the rim, converting 65.7% of his attempts less than five feet. However, his long-range shooting remains a weakness. He does find some success from the left corner, where he has a 60% effective field goal percentage.
Defensively, the Mavericks struggle when Marshall is on the floor. The team is outscored by 4.9 points per 100 possessions when he plays. His increased role could be a liability if he does not improve defensively.
Max Christie’s Emergence as a Playmaker
Christie has been a pleasant surprise for the Mavericks. Since arriving from the Lakers, he has been given more ball-handling duties and shot-creation opportunities.
Christie is taking the third-most shots on the team, excluding Davis’ and Grimes’ single game. He has responded well, averaging 14.0 points while shooting 46.7% from the field, 45.7% from three, and 84.0% from the free-throw line.
His catch-and-shoot ability has been particularly impressive. He is making 48.8% of his 3.9 catch-and-shoot three-point attempts per game. He also shoots 41.2% on pull-up jumpers, showing his ability to create his own offense.
Defensively, Christie has been outstanding. Opponents’ effective field goal percentage drops by 7.5% when he is on the floor, putting him in the 100th percentile. The Mavericks outscore opponents by 24.8 points per 100 possessions when he plays, an elite mark.
Despite being an afterthought in the Dončić-Davis trade, Christie is proving to be a valuable asset for Kidd. His development could be a silver lining for Dallas amid their injury struggles.
Mavericks Face a Crucial Stretch
Dallas must now navigate the remainder of the season without Irving. The Mavericks’ success will depend on Klay Thompson, Marshall, and Christie adapting to their new roles. If they can step up, the Mavericks still have a path to the playoffs. If not, their season could quickly spiral downward.
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