Suns' Bradley Beal Questionable vs. Mavs? Dante Exum Remains Out

Suns star Bradley Beal is the top name with an uncertain injury status ahead of the team's matchup against the Mavs on Thursday.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks will return to action from the NBA All-Star break with a home matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday. 

It remains to be seen if Bradley Beal (left hamstring tightness) will play against the Mavs since he was listed as questionable on the injury report. Damion Lee continues to be sidelined as he recovers from right meniscus surgery. 

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The Suns plan to be cautious about Beal's injury since they are set to play three games in four nights, with their matchup against the Mavs being the first of this stretch. 

"We had him get a little work in today but not overdo it with three games in four nights," Suns coach Frank Vogel said of Beal. 

Beal was getting shots up during the open portion of the Suns' practice on Wednesday at the American Airlines Center. 

Bradley Beal getting shots up at Phoenix Suns practice at the AAC. pic.twitter.com/B34gf2m6YJ

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 21, 2024

The Mavs listed Luka Doncic (broken nose), Dereck Lively II (broken nose), and Maxi Kleber (nasal fracture) as probable to play against the Suns but continue to have Dante Exum (right knee bursitis) as ruled out. 

Doncic was granted an excused absence for Tuesday's practice since he didn't get much vacation time due to playing in the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. However, he returned to Dallas for Wednesday's practice in preparation for the team's game.

How Dante Exum Remains Crucial Mavs Contributor As Injury Return Nears

Exum will miss his 11th consecutive game as he recovers from right knee bursitis. Mavs coach Jason Kidd told reporters that Exum was a non-contact participant in practice on Wednesday. 

"Exum did some work, non-contact, so he's going in the right direction," Kidd on Wednesday." But besides Exum, everybody participated. Everybody looked good."

Earlier in the week, Kidd mentioned Exum could return during the team's upcoming four-game road trip, beginning with a stop on Sunday against the Indiana Pacers.

"No setback. He's been working out," Kidd said on Tuesday. "He'll practice tomorrow, non-contact. I think the plan is for somewhere on that road trip to get him back."

The Mavs have remained optimistic about Exum's recovery. Still, more information will be known after determining how his body responds as he ramps up during the return to competition process.