NBA Rumors: Mavericks 'Backed off' Myles Turner Trade Interest Before Foot Injury
Jan 18, 2022
Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during NBA action against New York Knicks, Tuesday Jan. 4, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
As the Dallas Mavericks look to keep building on their recent hot streak, the team reportedly had eyes on Myles Turner as a potential trade target until recently.
Per NBA reporter Marc Stein, the Mavs were linked to Turner, but they had "backed off" even before he suffered a foot injury that the team announced Tuesday would keep him out for at least the next two weeks.
Turner's trade value would seem to be uncertain right now because of his injury. The team called it a stress reaction in his left foot and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the 25-year-old is expected to be out past the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
Per B/R's Eric Pincus, several executives from opposing teams viewed the Mavs as the favorites to acquire Turner prior to the trade deadline because of their ability to include either Dorian Finney-Smith or Jalen Brunson in a package.
"Dallas' willingness to part with Finney-Smith or Brunson may come down to each player's free-agent expectations," Pincus wrote.
Pincus also cited the Charlotte Hornets as a potential landing spot for Turner, but the concerns over his foot will likely leave everything up in the air.
Turner is signed through next season with a $17.5 million salary in 2022-23, per Spotrac.
Shams Charania and Bob Kravitz of The Athletic reported last month the Pacers were "receptive" to moving Turner or Domantas Sabonis and Caris LaVert.
Indiana has been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season. Its 15-29 record is only better than the Detroit Pistons (10-32) and Orlando Magic (8-37) in the Eastern Conference.
The Mavericks have won nine of their past 10 games and are fifth in the Western Conference with a 25-19 overall record. Their success thus far has been predicated on a defense that ranks third in points allowed per game (102.7) and fourth in rating (106.7), per Basketball-Reference.com.
Turner is one of the best defensive centers in the NBA. He has led the league in blocks per game twice in the past three seasons and is currently leading in that category again in 2021-22 (2.8).
RJ Barrett Continues Hot Streak as Knicks Blow Out Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Jan 13, 2022
New York Knicks' RJ Barrett plays against the Boston Celtics during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Jan 8, 2022, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
The New York Knicks got back to .500 with a 108-85 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. RJ Barrett had 32 points as New York improved to 21-21.
Julius Randle added 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. The Knicks now have an 11-11 record on their home floor. New York overcame the absences of veteran point guards Kemba Walker (knee) and Derrick Rose (ankle).
The Mavericks fell to 22-19 and had their six-game win streak come to an end. Luka Doncic led the team with 21 points and 11 rebounds in the loss.
Dallas was without head coach Jason Kidd and power forward Kristaps Porzingis, who are both in the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Notable Stats
G RJ Barrett, NYK: 32 points, 7 rebounds
C Mitchell Robinson, NYK: 19 points, 10 rebounds
F Julius Randle, NYK: 17 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists
G Luka Doncic, DAL: 21 points (8-of-23 FG), 11 rebounds
Knicks Starters Shine in Victory
For much of the season, New York's starting five has struggled to find a rhythm together. That wasn't the case on Wednesday, as all of the starters scored in double figures for the Knicks.
New York did a great job of sharing the basketball early on with 13 assists on their 20 field goals in the first half.
If you throw it up, Mitchell Robinson is going to throw it down!
The Knicks built a lead of as much as 25 in the second half thanks to some efficient play. New York attacked the rim relentlessly and shot 12-of-17 (70.6 percent) in the third quarter with only three of their field goal attempts coming from outside the three-point line.
Veteran guard Alec Burks was excellent in his role as distributor and finished with six assists. Randle made some nice passes on the interior and he also made good decisions on when to look for his own offense. Barrett was consistent from both inside and outside.
Mitchell Robinson had 19 points on 9-of-10 shooting with 10 rebounds. Evan Fournier added 13 and Burks finished with 10. The Knicks also played a relatively clean game, finishing with 24 assists against just eight turnovers.
New York has not had the first half of the season that it had hoped for, but this recent stretch is something to build on going forward. The Knicks have scored over 100 points in each of their last four wins. If New York continues to play like this, it will be in position to fight for a second consecutive trip to the postseason.
Dallas Doomed by Poor Shooting
The Mavericks had their opportunities on Wednesday but quite simply, they didn't make shots. Dallas shot a horrendous 8-of-37 (21.6 percent) from three-point range in the loss.
The peculiar thing about it is that the Mavericks ran good offense and consistently had good looks. Doncic and company used good ball movement to generate open shots for one another, but they just didn't connect.
Doncic shot 1-of-9 from beyond the arc. Swingmen Tim Hardaway Jr. (1-of-7) and Dorian Finney-Smith (0-of-4) didn't hit the shots they normally make. Maxi Kleber was second on the team behind Doncic with eight three-point attempts, but he only made three of them.
Dallas' defense also faltered against the Knicks. Wednesday's game was just the second time in their last seven contests that the Mavericks have allowed an opponent to score more than 100 points.
Dallas has shown the ability to shoot at an efficient rate, so Wednesday's dismal performance was likely an anomaly. But the Mavericks will have to find a way to adjust their game plan when their outside shots aren't falling. Instead of jacking up threes, the team would do better if it pushed the pace and attacked the basket.
What's Next?
The Knicks will enjoy a couple days of rest before traveling to face the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday. The Mavericks will remain on the road to take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
Luka Doncic, Mavericks Beat Warriors as Stephen Curry's Shooting Woes Continue
Jan 6, 2022
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots against Golden State Warriors forward Nemanja Bjelica (8) during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The Dallas Mavericks are starting to play like threats in the Western Conference.
Dallas defeated the Golden State Warriors 99-82 in Wednesday's showdown and potential playoff preview at American Airlines Center. It was the first of four matchups between the two teams this season.
Luka Doncic led the way for the victors, who improved to 20-18 on the campaign with their fourth straight win.
Gary Payton II, G, GS: 11 PTS, 11 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL
Luka, Team Defense Lead Way for Mavs
The Mavericks are trying to take the next step with Doncic and go from a team that makes the playoffs and loses in the first round to one that can challenge the top teams in the West for a deep run.
That meant this was something of a measuring-stick game against the conference-leading Warriors, and they wasted no time setting the tone by jumping out to a double-digit lead by halftime.
As expected, Doncic led the way by attacking the lane, drawing contact, battling for boards and facilitating when needed. It was far from a one-man show, though, as Jalen Brunson added secondary scoring and Tim Hardaway Jr. provided a spark off the bench with his outside shooting.
Even with all that, the Mavericks were most impressive on the defensive end with their collective effort on Curry, which prevented the two-time MVP from taking over like he so often does.
It was just a matter of time before No. 30 at least started scoring some, but the defense prevented his individual brilliance even when the Warriors came charging back in the third quarter. The Mavericks' biggest issue was finding scoring outside of Doncic with Kristaps Porzingis sidelined, especially when they went cold and allowed the visitors back into the game for the final quarter.
To the Mavericks' credit, they fought right back after giving up the lead and reestablished a double-digit advantage by the middle of the fourth quarter with Hardaway and Dorian Finney-Smith capitalizing on the openings created by Doncic. That was missing for a time in the third, but the spark, along with the continued defensive effort, helped the victors seize control for good.
Doncic is always going to stuff the stat sheet, but the Mavericks are far more dangerous when Hardaway and Finney-Smith are also hitting shots like they did as they pulled ahead. If they can play defense like they did against the formidable Warriors, they can continue climbing the standings.
Steph Struggles As Warriors Offense Falters
The scariest thing about Golden State entering play with the NBA's best record is Klay Thompson could return as soon as Sunday. That meant this game was another chance to send a message against a possible Western Conference playoff contender that this is the Warriors' title to lose.
So much for that.
The Warriors managed just 39 points in the first half with Curry missing all five of his three-point attempts and going just 1-of-10 from the field. It was partially a testament to the Mavericks' defensive effort, as the home team cut off his driving lanes, sent doubles his way and swarmed any potential open looks on the outside.
Draymond Green was also scoreless in the first half, and Golden State struggled with turnovers and failed to generate any type of rhythm with its two primary playmakers held in check.
That changed somewhat in the third quarter as Curry hit his first three and got to the basket multiple times, Gary Payton II impressed on the glass while still scoring some, and Andrew Wiggins played well for stretches. The Warriors even took the temporary lead and were well within striking distance heading to the fourth.
Still, Golden State fell behind once again in that final quarter and continued to struggle on the offensive end.
Curry never got going like he typically does, which marked the second straight game after he shot just 1-of-10 from deep in a win over the Miami Heat. One particularly poor turnover undercut a last comeback attempt in the final minutes, although it surely won't take him long to rediscover his greatness even after two bad shooting games.
What's Next?
Both teams are on the road for their next game when the Warriors face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday and the Mavericks play the Houston Rockets on Friday.
Mavericks Legend Dirk Nowitzki: 'Coaching Is the Last Thing I Want to Do'
Jan 4, 2022
Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki participates in warmup before a NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers in Dallas, Tuesday, April 3, 2018. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Dirk Nowitzki is a Dallas Mavericks legend, but don't expect to see him on the sidelines for them or any other team in a coaching role.
"Coaching is the last thing I want to do," he said, per Jonah Javad of WFAA. "… Other than that, I think all options are on the table."
The comments come before the Mavericks retire Nowitzki's jersey in a ceremony following Wednesday's home game against the Golden State Warriors.
The future Hall of Famer played his entire career for Dallas and built a resume that included a championship, NBA Finals MVP, a league MVP, 12 All-NBA selections and 14 All-Star nods. He is the best Mavericks player in franchise history, and eventually becoming a coach could have been a path in retirement.
While he ruled that out, he did suggest "all options are on the table."
That is notable since he joined the franchise as a special adviser prior to the season. Perhaps he will become more involved at a different level as he is further into retirement.
Isaiah Thomas Enters Health and Safety Protocols Day After Signing with Mavericks
Dec 30, 2021
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 29: Isaiah Thomas #2 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 29, 2021 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks guard Isaiah Thomas entered the NBA's health and safety protocols on Thursday.
As a result, he will miss Friday's game against the Sacramento Kings.
The two-time All-Star made his Mavs debut in Wednesday's 95-94 loss to the Kings, finishing with six points and four assists in 13 minutes on the floor.
Dallas has seven other players unavailable because they're in the health and safety protocols: Trey Burke, Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, Brandon Knight, Boban Marjanovic and JaQuori McLaughlin.
Following updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the NBA and NBA Players Association agreed to change the return-to-play protocols to allow players and coaches to return earlier from isolation. They can quarantine for as little as six days as long as they're asymptomatic and meeting testing requirements as well as local regulations.
The new rule doesn't provide much relief for Thomas, though, since he signed a 10-day contract with the Mavs thanks to the NBA's hardship allowance. His isolation period will cover a majority of that 10-day window, assuming he's out for six days.
In addition to Friday, Thomas could miss Sunday's matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder and a Jan. 3 date with the Denver Nuggets. His availability for Jan. 5 against the Golden State Warriors could be in jeopardy, too.
Between representing Team USA for World Cup and AmeriCup qualifying and competing in the NBA G League, Thomas did everything he could to engineer a return to the NBA.
Landing in the health and safety protocols is another setback for the guard.
Isaiah Thomas Reveals Call About Mavs Contract, Reacts to 1st Game After Lakers Stint
Dec 30, 2021
Dallas Mavericks guard Isaiah Thomas (2) passes the ball to a teammate during the first quarter of an NBA basketball game in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas)
Isaiah Thomas said signing a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks was a "no brainer" after scoring six points and dishing four assists in Wednesday's loss to the Sacramento Kings.
“I was getting some groceries, and Nico (Harrison, the Mavericks’ general manager) had called me,” Thomas said. “The first thing he asked me was, ‘you think you can play tonight?’
“I was like, hell yeah I can play tonight. I was in Seattle. I just got home from L.A. (Tuesday). It’s been a lot, but I’m built for this. I’m ready for it. I’m thankful for the opportunity. And it was a no-brainer when he asked.”
Thomas hopped on a plane from Seattle to Sacramento and arrived just hours before tip off. The two-time All-Star was inserted into the game in the first quarter and immediately chucked up a three on his first possession as a Mav, though it missed as part of a 3-of-8 performance from the field.
The Los Angeles Lakers previously brought in Thomas for a four-game run that the team chose not to extend. Thomas has struggled to find work in recent seasons after a chronic hip injury derailed his career in 2017.
The Mavericks are the eighth team Thomas has played for since the beginning of the 2016-17 season.
Chimezie Metu Buzzer-Beater Powers Kings Past Kristaps Porzingis, Mavericks
Dec 30, 2021
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 29: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings drives to the basket during the game against the Dallas Mavericks on December 29, 2021 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings were victorious for the second time in as many nights, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 95-94 at home on Wednesday at Golden 1 Center. Chimezie Metu hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Kings the victory.
De'Aaron Fox had a team-high 16 points and was one of six players to score in double figures as Sacramento improved to 15-21.
Dallas fell to 16-18 after its third loss in its last four games. Jalen Brunson had 25 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 24 to lead the Mavericks.
The Mavericks were playing without star point guard Luka Doncic, who is one of seven players on the team in the NBA's health and safety protocols.
Notable Stats
G De'Aaron Fox, SAC: 16 points
G Tyrese Haliburton, SAC: 12 points, 10 assists
G Jalen Brunson, DAL: 25 points
F Kristaps Porzingis, DAL: 24 points
Kings Win Despite Losing Focus in Second Half
Sacramento had Dallas on the ropes for most of Wednesday's contest. The Kings used aggressive defense and efficient offense to put pressure on a short-handed Mavericks team.
After falling behind by 10 points in the second quarter, Sacramento used a 30-8 run to take a 12-point lead into halftime. It was a balanced effort by the Kings led by rookie Davion Mitchell, who scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half.
After this buzzer beater to end the 1st half, Davion Mitchell (12 PTS) is a perfect 5-for-5 from the field on @NBATV! pic.twitter.com/yy1ROktu6R
Sacramento eventually built a 13-point lead in the second half, but defensive lapses and a lack of execution on offense allowed Dallas to claw its way back into the game. The Kings turned the ball over six times in the third quarter alone and finished with 14 giveaways in the game.
Sacramento didn't go down easily as Fox and Tyrese Haliburton made some key plays to keep the game close. Fox also had the assist on Metu's game-winner.
Wednesday's result is something the Kings should be able to build on going forward. Sacramento has dealt with a lot of turmoil this season with the firing of its head coach and disgruntled players. But a gritty victory like this should galvanize the team and provide some confidence going forward.
Mavericks Struggling to Win Without Doncic
Even without Doncic, it was a surprise that Dallas struggled to put away a middling Sacramento team. The Mavericks fell behind by as many as 13 points in the third quarter.
Brunson and Porzingis eventually woke up and powered Dallas' comeback. Brunson had 11 points in the third quarter and Porzingis had 13 in the fourth.
But the rest of the Mavericks struggled throughout the night. Dorian Finney-Smith was the only other player to score in double figures at 11 points. Dallas got to the free-throw line just 13 times, making nine of them.
The Mavericks are now 4-5 in this recent stretch without Doncic. Porzingis was expected to step up in his absence. While he has been mostly solid as the team's primary option, he shot an inefficient 8-of-19 on Wednesday ,and that's not going to cut it.
Wednesday's result will leave a bad taste in Dallas' mouth. The Mavericks have to hope to return to full health sooner than later to stay alive in a competitive Western Conference.
What's Next?
The Kings and Mavericks will face each other again in Sacramento on Friday.
Isaiah Thomas Reportedly Will Sign Mavericks Contract After Lakers Stint
Dec 29, 2021
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 21: Isaiah Thomas #31 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 21, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images )
Isaiah Thomas is signing with the Dallas Mavericks, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
The veteran point guard is expected to be available for Wednesday's game against the Sacramento Kings. He'll provide some depth in Dallas' backcourt after Luka Doncic and Trey Burke entered the NBA's health and safety protocols on Dec. 22.
Thomas signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 17 and made four appearances. In his first game, he had 19 points on 5-of-12 shooting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GyVUcnvRzo
The 32-year-old averaged 9.3 points and 1.5 assists in 25.3 minutes per game across the four contests.
Los Angeles declined to offer him another 10-day contract, but Charania reported multiple teams were likely to pursue him upon his departure.
Thomas has never been the same player since a hip injury ended a career year in 2016-17 when he averaged 28.9 points and 5.9 assists. He has played just 91 games in the subsequent five seasons, putting up 12.4 points per contest.
The 5'9" guard lost some of the explosion that made him a dynamic scorer, and he hasn't compensated by becoming more efficient. He has shot 33.7 percent from three-point range since the 2017-18 campaign. He went 5-of-22 from beyond the arc with L.A. this year.
Since leaving the Celtics, Isaiah Thomas had one pretty good shooting season with the Wizards in 18-19, where he played 40 games and hit 78/189 (41%) from three.
In his other 5 stops from 2018 to last week, he's played 51 games and hit 75/256 (29%) from three
Couple that with the defensive issues that predated his hip injury, and Thomas' days as a high-usage option are likely over.
But his first game with the Lakers showed he can be an effective contributor on the right night.
Donovan Mitchell, Jazz Defeat Mavericks on Christmas with Luka Doncic Out
Dec 26, 2021
Dallas Mavericks guard Frank Ntilikina (21) drives against Utah Jazz's Donovan Mitchell during the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Utah Jazz extended their winning streak to three games with a 120-116 win over the short-handed Dallas Mavericks at Vivint Arena on Saturday night. They are 23-9 and keeping pace with the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns for the top spot in the Western Conference.
It was a rather easy win for the Jazz, as the Mavericks were without Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, Trey Burke, Maxi Kleber and several others because of COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
This season, Mitchell has been on a tear, and his incredible run continued on Saturday night against the Mavericks. The 25-year-old notched at least 20 points for the 13th straight game and recorded his ninth 30-plus point game of the season.
Mitchell and the Jazz were in a back-and-forth battle with the Mavericks for most of the night, but he helped the team pull away in the fourth quarter.
Much of Utah's offensive success can be attributed to Mitchell, who entered Saturday averaging 25.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game.
The Jazz offense also entered averaging 115.8 points per game, per NBA.com, which is the best in the league. The Charlotte Hornets are second with 114.9 points per game, but their offense isn't comparable.
Mitchell's exploits have allowed other players to find more offensive success, including Mike Conley, Bojan Bogdanovic and Rudy Gobert. Conley had 22 points against the Mavericks, while Bogdanovic finished with 25 points and Gobert with 10 points.
Bogdanovic ranks second on the team in points per game, while Gobert, who is often considered a defensive stalwart, ranks third in that category.
The Quin Snyder-led Jazz teams have all been built on defense, but with the offensive success of Mitchell, coupled with supplemental scorers in Bogdanovic, Conley and Gobert, Utah has changed that narrative.
However, it should also be noted that the Jazz are still one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. They entered with the sixth-best defensive rating at 106.7, per NBA.com. So while the offense is firing on all cylinders, the Jazz appear to be one of the more complete teams in the league.
Kristaps Porzingis' Effort Not Enough for Shorthanded Mavs
Although Porzingis finished with 27 points, nine rebounds, three assists, one steal and two blocks, his effort was not enough as the Mavericks couldn't keep pace with the high-flying Jazz.
Prozingis had missed Dallas' last two games with toe soreness, but the time off only appeared to have helped him as he finished his last game with 13 points, three rebounds and one assist against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
But while Porzingis was solid against the Jazz, he is far removed from the player he once was with the New York Knicks, which has resulted in trade rumors surrounding the Latvian.
The Mavericks hoped Porzingis would create a dynamic one-two punch alongside Doncic after signing him to a five-year, $158 million deal in the summer of 2019, but he hasn't lived up to that deal.
The 26-year-old has struggled with injuries throughout his career and also entered Saturday averaging 19.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
Saturday's game also emphasized the fact that Porzingis can't carry the Dallas offense. If Doncic and the Mavericks are going to win a championship, it's clear the team will need to add another piece.
In addition to Porzingis, Jalen Brunson was also impressive against Utah, finishing with 27 points, two rebounds and six assists, though he also can't solely carry the Mavericks. Aside from Porzingis and Brunson, most of the team struggled, which doesn't come as a surprise given all the absences because of COVID-19 protocols.
However, it should be noted that Dallas has had one of the worst offenses in the NBA this season, entering averaging 104.4 points per game. The team has also been particularly ineffective from deep, shooting 32.5 percent from beyond the arc. The Mavs shot 32.3 percent from deep against the Jazz.
What's Next?
The Jazz will travel to face the San Antonio Spurs on Monday, while the Mavericks will travel to face the Portland Trail Blazers that same night.
Report: Luka Doncic Won't Travel for Mavs vs. Jazz on Christmas amid COVID Protocols
Dec 24, 2021
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 10: Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks dribbles the ball in the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 10, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic reportedly won't travel with the team for Saturday's Christmas Day road game against the Utah Jazz.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported Friday the two-time All-Star remains in the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Doncic has experienced ankle issues throughout the 2021-22 season and has missed 10 games in total this year, which isn't great for the Mavericks.
The 22-year-old is the Mavs' most important player as he's averaging 25.6 points, 8.5 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game on 44.7 percent shooting from the floor and 32.6 percent shooting from deep in 21 games this season.
Dallas will always struggle to replace Doncic's production. Kristaps Porzingis is heavily relied on to handle the scoring load as he's averaging 19.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting in 22 games this season.
Jalen Brunson and Frank Ntilikina will likely take care of ball-handling duties while Doncic is sidelined. However, neither player can replace the Slovenian.
The Mavericks are 15-16 this season, seventh place in the Western Conference. They'll need Doncic to be healthy moving forward if they want to compete with the top teams in the West.
