Mavericks’ Frontcourt Depth Hanging by a Thread, But Relief May Be on the Way
The Mavericks’ frontcourt depth is hanging on by a thread, but relief may be on the way. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd provided injury updates for Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II during his pregame news conference ahead of Wednesday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Davis will miss his third straight game Wednesday night, but Kidd said the All-Star forward is ramping up in his recovery and will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis. “He’s reported that he’s feeling better,” Kidd said.
Injury Updates and Recovery
The latest update on Lively, who has missed five games with a right knee sprain, was promising considering the lack of an established timeline over the last week. “Lively’s been participating on court and he’s doing well,” Kidd said. “He’s hopefully back by next week.”
Those updates could mean the Mavericks are closer to fielding a fully healthy frontcourt, which they haven’t had since Daniel Gafford suffered a sprained right ankle on the first day of training camp. Gafford, who exceeded his restriction of 15-18 minutes with 25 minutes in Monday’s loss in Houston, has provided a burst of energy in his first two games.
Managing Injuries and Minute Restrictions
The Mavericks coach was asked if he’d be able to extend that timeframe, but Kidd cautioned that it would be a dicey situation to do that considering he’s coming off an injury that kept him sidelined for a month. “That’s the key word: press. If you press someone coming off an injury, you can put them in harm’s way,” Kidd explained. “These are delicate things. I don’t think we can press anyone with the luck we’ve had with injuries.”
The Pelicans entered Wednesday’s game with the worst record in the Western Conference at 1-6, but are coming off their first win of the season on Tuesday night. Kidd also acknowledged the difficulty to compete with a shorthanded roster. “With the minute restrictions and the injuries, it is tough but we believe we have enough talent to win,” Kidd said.
Game Highlights and Coverage
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Conclusion
The Mavericks are facing a challenging situation with their frontcourt depth, but the latest updates on Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II bring some hope for a speedy recovery. With the team’s current injuries and minute restrictions, it’s essential for the players to manage their workload and avoid any further setbacks. As the season progresses, the Mavericks will need to find ways to compete with a shorthanded roster and make the most of their available talent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will Anthony Davis return to the court?
A: Davis will miss his third straight game Wednesday night, but he is ramping up in his recovery and will continue to be evaluated on a daily basis.
Q: What is the status of Dereck Lively II’s injury?
A: Lively has missed five games with a right knee sprain, but he has been participating on court and is doing well, with a possible return by next week.
Q: How will the Mavericks manage their frontcourt depth with the current injuries?
A: The team will need to be cautious with their players’ workload and avoid pressing anyone coming off an injury, as they have had a string of bad luck with injuries this season.
