Luka Doncic, Dereck Lively II Headline Long Mavs Injury Report vs. Timberwolves

The Mavs could be without Luka Doncic and Dereck Lively II, along with plenty of other important players against the Timberwolves on Sunday.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks overcame not having Luka Doncic and various other vital players in their 139-103 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday. The undermanned Mavs will be tested against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, potentially playing without the Slovenian superstar again. 

Doncic (right ankle swelling) is considered questionable to play against Minnesota. He had only missed four games this season and will have last played on Wednesday when he recorded 41 points and six rebounds against the Blazers. Dallas is 1-3 without him.

“Hopefully, it’s just day to day,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said of Doncic before Friday's game.

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While Doncic was sidelined, Kyrie Irving, who recently returned to the lineup after a right heel contusion, continued to step up. He scored 29 of a combined 70 points with Doncic during Wednesday's win over Portland but took on the top option role, leading a blowout victory by dropping 24 points, adding nine rebounds, and five assists the following game. 

"Kai got us off to a really good start there, kind of like what happened the last game," Kidd said. "I thought Kai picked up right where he left off."

Other players considered questionable to play on Sunday include Grant Williams (right ankle sprain), Markieff Morris (illness), and Richaun Holmes (personal reasons). Additionally, Dereck Lively II (left ankle sprain) is considered doubtful. 

Dante Exum, who has already been ruled for Sunday's game, had his injury designation changed from a "right heel contusion" to "right plantar fascia sprain," suggesting a specific indication of his injury. He's dealt with injuries throughout the season but largely managed to stay healthy. He is set to miss his seventh game. 

Maxi Kleber (small right toe dislocation) remains out and has not appeared in a game since Nov. 8, when he tried to play through the injury but ultimately worsened it. He's been doing on-court workouts in recent weeks, but there hasn't been a tangible update about a timetable for his return. 

Kyrie Irving Leads Luka-Less Mavs to Blowout Win Over Trail Blazers

Josh Green and Jaden Hardy stepped into starting roles with Doncic and Exum sidelined, providing important contributions on Friday. Green totaled 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists, while Hardy scored 19 points amid a near triple-double, adding nine rebounds and nine assists. 

As the Mavs continue to deal with injuries, they will need contributions from the bench group comfortable to Friday's win over the Blazers. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 19 points in his sixth-man role, while players like Seth Curry, A.J. Lawson, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper stepped up, among others. 

"Tim [Hardway Jr.] has been Tim coming off the bench; we kept him in his role tonight. But I thought the bench was big," Kidd said. "When you look at what [Hardaway] and [Seth] Curry did, what AJ [Lawson], O-Max [Olivier-Maxence Prosper] and [Greg] Brown [III] and Brandon [Willliams]. All those guys who played, again, played the right way, and so it showed." 

Check back with DallasBasketball.com for more updates regarding Mavs injuries closer to Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.