When it rains, it pours.
On the heels of a team update that indicates Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Daniel Gafford, and Caleb Martin are progressing from their respective injuries, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that Dallas Mavericks big man Olivier-Maxence Prosper will miss the remainder of the season with a right wrist injury. The 24th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Prosper had been playing a bit role for Dallas until their center depth was decimated by injuries.
Mavs Hit With Olivier-Maxence Prosper Injury
Over his last 21 games, Prosper’s averaged 17.0 minutes per contest. He’s also had four of his five career starts in that span. Though Davis and Lively could return this season, it’s nevertheless a blow to the Mavericks.
Another injury blow to Dallas: Mavericks forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper has a serious right wrist injury and is expected to require season-ending surgery, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/cVpBMtYjoJ
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 7, 2025
With Prosper, Davis, Lively II, Gafford, and Kai Jones all out, Dallas doesn’t have many options at center for the foreseeable future.
The Mavs do have Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards available. Honestly, Powell he doesn’t necessarily stand out in any way. However, he’s a seasoned and serviceable big man. Edwards, though not a true center like Powell, is scrappy and can stretch the floor.
Caleb Martin, I’m told, is on course to return from his hip injury and make his Mavericks debut tonight against Memphis … just over a month after Dallas acquired Martin from Philadelphia in trade headlined by Quentin Grimes.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/IIIlAloJCf https://t.co/lmhohQUzmy
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 7, 2025
Dallas could also turn to Naji Marshall and PJ Washington, both 6-foot-7, in small ball lineups. In fact, Marshall has already been utilized in that role, albeit with mixed results. Considering Washington’s recent struggles scoring the ball, this should benefit him, especially with how he excelled at making corner 3s in the 2024 NBA Playoffs. Of course, Washington is out as well, as he continues to nurse an ankle injury.
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