In a rather surprising development, the Dallas Mavericks still hold onto a play-in seed with just 15 games remaining in the regular season. Kyrie Irving has missed several games now, and essentially, all their big men are out. Yet, because the Phoenix Suns have proved unable to win important basketball games lately, Dallas holds onto the tenth seed for the time being. Of course, things could change quickly over the next few weeks, and the Suns can hypothetically catch up and pass the Mavs in the standings. However, as it stands, Dallas mathematically holds a shot at the play-in. This begs the question, what will they do when their injured players return, if they return before the season’s end? After his return from injury, will the Mavericks play or sit Anthony Davis?
Mavericks Injury News: No Plans To Sit Returning Players
Dallas Mavericks Will Play Anthony Davis and Others After Injury If Team Has Chance to Make the Play-In/Playoffs
According to Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News, the Mavericks will not sit any of Davis, Daniel Gafford, or Dereck Lively II. All three big men have been on ice for a significant period of time. Thankfully for the Mavericks, Dwight Powell returned to play yesterday after suffering a head injury on March 9th after colliding with his teammate, Kessler Edwards. Edwards returned in-game; Powell did not, but has since returned to the lineup. He posted 21 and 11 points in consecutive games against the San Antonio Spurs this week. Powell and Edwards are the Mavericks only two centers left on the roster.
As it pertains to Davis (adductor strain), Gaffford (MCL sprain), and Lively (stress fracture), upon return, they will play, as Townsend reported. The Mavericks intend to play their healthy players, provided they are mathematically positioned to make the play-in tournament. Of course, their return will not include Irving. It’s hard to imagine a reality where the Mavs get past the play-in and into the playoffs. If they do, winning a playoff round is a whole other animal. That isn’t halting the Mav’s confidence in what their roster can do, however, as Dante Exum recently talked about.
“We know how good we can be when everyone’s healthy, but that’s one of the big things about the NBA: timing. Timing is everything. Runs and staying healthy during the season and going into playoffs, that’s a big part, and it’s something that we’re gonna have to figure out, quick.”
Even If Healthy, What’s the Point?
While Davis and Lively are expected back before the season ends, Gafford’s timetable is more questionable. Even without him, though, AD and Lively, healthy, and protecting the paint is a daunting reality for opposing teams. That said, it doesn’t much increase the Mavericks chances of making any noise in the play-in or further. Lately, the debate has revolved around the point of playing AD or the others, even if they’re healthy. One argument is that Dallas’s current injured players should be iced for the remainder of the season, allowing for an extended offseason recovery. Another argument says Davis could use the extra games to acclimate with head coach Jason Kidd and his teammates.
Dallas can’t possibly think they have a solid chance of advancing, provided Phoenix doesn’t surpass them. However, not willing to give up on the chance might be something team GM Nico Harrison is holding onto right now instead of crashing out of the race altogether.
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