Dallas Mavs Injury Report: Tim Hardaway Jr. Ruled Out vs. Memphis Grizzlies; Grant Williams Nears Return?

After being a late addition to the injury report, Mavs sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. was ruled out for Monday's matchup against the Grizzlies.

MEMPHIS — Ahead of Monday's matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and Memphis Grizzlies, Tim Hardaway Jr. was a late addition to the injury report before being ruled out before tipoff. 

Hardaway has recently been listed on the injury report with back spasms, causing him to miss two games before returning to the lineup against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 6, then proceeding to play on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers in the Mavs' 125-112 victory.

After not listing Hardaway on the injury report during Sunday's submissions, the Mavs added the veteran sharpshooter as questionable with back spasms in the hours leading up to tipoff. He was later ruled out but did participate in pre-game workouts. He is coming off a performance with 20 points on four made 3-pointers in the Mavs' victory against the Blazers. 

When looking at other inclusions on the injury report, the Mavs ruled out Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation), Grant Williams (right knee bone bruise), Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion), and Josh Green (right elbow sprain), in addition to Hardaway. 

Dallas Mavericks sharpshooter Tim Hardaway Jr. during the 2023-24 NBA season.  / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Mavs deployed a starting lineup of Seth Curry, Luka Doncic, Dante Exum, Derrick Jones Jr., and Dereck Lively II against the Grizzlies. Exum thrived in the starting group alongside Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving against the Blazers but remained an essential fixture after Irving's injury. 

Dallas is optimistic about a potential return to the lineup for Grant Williams when the team returns for a two-game homsetand, beginning with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday. 

"Hopefully, [Grant Williams] is going to be able to play on the homsetand," Mavs coach Jason Kidd said. "He's had good workouts here of late, so hopefully, he's back on one or two of the games we have at home."

Irving remains without a timetable for a return to the lineup, with Kidd stating there is "no update" before Monday's game. He flew back to Dallas to undergo an MRI, which led to the right heel contusion diagnosis, while the team traveled to Memphis.