The Dallas Mavericks head into their matchup against the Denver Nuggets with one of the longest injury reports in the league. As they sit with a 5-15 record and continue through a bad start to the season, they may be without four key rotation players on Monday night. At least, they will have one piece of good news: Anthony Davis is expected to play.
The Mavericks officially listed Davis as probable (left calf injury management). He sat out the previous game against the Clippers since it was the second leg of a back-to-back, but with ample rest, Dallas expects him to be back on the floor.
In his first game back against the Lakers, Davis posted 12 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in 28 minutes, a decent performance. With Dallas desperate for consistent offensive production, having their superstar big man is a massive boost.
Cooper Flagg has been cleared and is available. The rookie had the best performance of his career in the 114-110 win over the Clippers, with a 35-point explosion along with eight rebounds. Naji Marshall added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Klay Thompson caught fire off the bench with 23 points.
This win snapped a three-game losing streak. But the Mavericks are still only 5-15, which is the 12th-best record in the West. On top of that, they have lost seven of their last 10 games.
P.J. Washington (right ankle sprain) and Brandon Williams (left adductor strain) are both questionable, while Daniel Gafford (right ankle injury management) is listed as doubtful. Dereck Lively II (right foot injury management) remains sidelined while Dante Exum (right knee injury management) and Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) are also out.
The Nuggets arrive in far better shape and much better form. Denver is 14-5, fourth in the West, and has won seven of its last ten. They’re coming off a dominant 130-112 win over the Phoenix Suns, where Nikola Jokic had a near triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds. Jamal Murray added 24 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr. delivered 23 off the bench.
Jokic (left wrist sprain) is listed as probable, but he is expected to play. Julian Strawther (back injury) is out, while Aaron Gordon (hamstring strain) and Christian Braun (ankle injury) are still sidelined.
With Denver rolling and Dallas shorthanded yet again, the Nuggets enter as heavy favorites. The Mavericks will need a heroic night from Cooper Flagg and Anthony Davis, along with steady production from their role players, to even keep this competitive.
