The 2024-25 NBA season has not been too kind to the Dallas Mavericks as they constantly got hit with the injury bug. After making the NBA Finals last year, the Mavericks do not appear to be in contention this time around. They are 33-37 and own the No. 11 seed in the West. Additionally, they are just three games ahead of the No. 13 San Antonio Spurs. If the season ended today, the Mavericks would miss the postseason entirely. However, they recently got a major injury update that could bode well for them.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, big men Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II have been assigned to the G League to continue their rehab. Stein also mentions that Anthony Davis, who was already assigned, will participate in 5-on-5 work. As for Gafford and Lively, they will participate in 3-on-3 work.
Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford have also been assigned to the Legends for today’s practice, but they are expected to start with 3-on-3 work with the team’s G League affiliate while Davis participates in 5-on-5.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/IIIlAloJCf + @DLLS_Sports https://t.co/fiVK3lybOw
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 21, 2025
Of these three big men, Lively has been out the longest. The second-year pro suffered an ankle injury just four minutes into Dallas’ January 14 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Gafford suffered a knee injury in a loss to the Sacramento Kings on February 10. And as for Davis, he suffered an adductor injury during his Mavericks debut. The Chicago native has not suited up for Dallas since, though he could make his return soon.
NBA Insider Provides Major Dallas Mavericks Injury Update
The Dallas Mavericks’ Outlook
A postseason appearance is far from impossible. However, at his rate, it seems unlikely. The returns of these three big men will certainly help. Even if they make the postseason, though, it will be an uphill battle for them to make a run. Dallas will have players on the shelf no matter what since Kyrie Irving recently suffered a season-ending knee injury. Additionally, the Western Conference consists of some of the best teams in the NBA. If the Mavericks advance through the Play-In Tournament, they will take on one of the top teams in the conference. This includes the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Nuggets, and the Lakers. All of these teams will be difficult for the Mavericks to defeat in a seven-game series.
Regardless, a lot of crazier things have happened in the NBA. Additionally, the Mavericks still have an intriguing roster on paper. However, if the Mavericks want to make a run, they must turn things around soon. Getting Davis, Lively, and Gafford back on the court will help. However, it remains unknown if that will be enough.
The Last Word
The Mavericks are in a strange spot right now. Getting reinforcements will help the team make a late-season push. However, with just weeks left in the season, it could be too little too late. Either way, the Mavericks remain a team to monitor from here on out.
Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
