Mavs' Dante Exum Carries Uncertain Injury Status vs. Trail Blazers

The Mavs may not have Dante Exum in the lineup when they face the Trail Blazers as he continues to manage a right heel contusion.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks seek to bounce back from a 37-point blowout loss at the hands of the Utah Jazz when they take on the Portland Trail Blazers in the first matchup of a two-game mini-series. Who will be in the lineup when they do?

While Irving or Doncic is no longer on the Mavs' injury report, Dante Exum is considered doubtful to play on Wednesday as he deals with a right heel contusion. Maxi Kleber will continue to be sidelined with a right small toe dislocation. 

Christopher Crevelin-USA TODAY Sports

Exum is amid a career year in his NBA return, averaging 9.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 30 games. He's provided a needed complementary skill-set between his impact initiating the offense and on-ball defense.

The Mavs plan to deploy Exum as a starter alongside Irving and Doncic, but Irving's 12-game injury absence shelved those plans until Monday's loss against the Jazz. With Exum carrying a doubtful designation, it remains to be seen if there will be another wait before Dallas can move forward with seeing the combination. 

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While Exum's night ended after 12 minutes against the Jazz, he was glad to be back in Utah to play his first game in his first NBA home since 2019 before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

"I spent a lot of time in Utah, you know, as the team that drafted me," Exum told DallasBasketball.com before the game. "I loved it here. My family loved it here. It'll always be that second home to me. It's just good to come back here finally. I haven't been here in so long. It's just good to see people around the organization still here and still loving the Jazz."

With Irving returning from a "freak accident" that occurred in early December in Portland, involving Dwight Powell landing on his leg, the Mavs at least will have their superstar backcourt for Wednesday's game. Neither player is listed on the injury report despite entering Monday's game as questionable to play.