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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (shoulder) good to go for Game 4
Tue, May 28, 2024, 10:55 AM
Shams Charania on Twitter
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder AC joint separation) is available for Tuesday's Game 4 against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Kleber has been out since May 3, when he logged five minutes in the closeout Game 6 victory over the Clippers. His return is timely, as Dereck Lively II is out on Tuesday due to a neck injury sustained in Game 3. |
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Dereck Lively II Haynes: Dereck Lively II (neck) out Tuesday vs MIN
Mon, May 27, 2024, 4:07 PM
Chris Haynes on Twitter
According to TNT's Chris Haynes, Dereck Lively II (neck sprain) will not play in Tuesday's Game 4 against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: While Lively was listed as doubtful on the Mavericks' initial injury report for Game 4, Haynes reports that the rookie center will not play. Lively's absence frees up minutes behind starting center Daniel Gafford. Dwight Powell played a few minutes off the bench during the second half of Game 3, and he'll likely be in the rotation on Tuesday. Another potential option is Maxi Kleber, who is questionable after missing three weeks with a separated shoulder. Neither Powell nor Kleber (if he plays) will be a good DFS option for Game 4. |
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Maxi Kleber Maxi Kleber (shoulder) questionable for Game 4
Mon, May 27, 2024, 3:44 PM
NBA Injury Report
Maxi Kleber (right shoulder AC joint separation) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Kleber injured his shoulder during the final game of Dallas' first-round series with the Clippers and has not played since. Saturday marked three weeks since the injury, and Kleber was due to be re-evaluated then. The questionable tag suggests there's a chance he'll play on Tuesday, which would give Dallas another option to help account for Dereck Lively II's potential absence. Lively is doubtful with a sprained neck, which he suffered during Sunday's Game 3 victory. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) questionable for Game 4
Mon, May 27, 2024, 3:41 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Doncic is back on the injury report, and his knee gave him more trouble ahead of Sunday's Game 3. The Mavericks star still played 41 minutes, combining with Kyrie Irving to lead the Mavericks on a 13-3 run to end the game. Look for Doncic to take on a similar workload as Dallas attempts to clinch its first trip to the NBA Finals since 2011. |
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Dereck Lively II Dereck Lively II (neck) doubtful for Game 4 Tues.
Mon, May 27, 2024, 3:38 PM
NBA Injury Report
Dereck Lively II (neck sprain) is doubtful for Tuesday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Lively injured his neck during the second quarter of Sunday's Game 3 victory and did not return. While Dwight Powell re-entered the rotation in the second half, starter Daniel Gafford played most of the available minutes. The Mavericks could also have Maxi Kleber at their disposal, as he is questionable after missing time with a separated shoulder. |
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P.J. Washington PJ Washington scores 16 in Game 3 comeback win
Sun, May 26, 2024, 10:00 PM
PJ Washington finished Sunday's win over Minnesota with 16 points (5-of-10 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), eight rebounds, two assists, and two 3-pointers in 40 minutes.
Analysis: Washington hasn't been as prolific offensively as he was in the first four games of the Western Conference Semifinals, but he has remained a critical supplementary option. After missing all four of his 3-point attempts in Game 2, the former Hornet hit two in Game 3, including a crucial corner three with 3:38 remaining that gave Dallas the lead for good. Both of Dallas' trade deadline additions have been huge for them, turning the team into a genuine title contender. Daniel Gafford added five points, three rebounds, one assist, and three blocks in 29 minutes. Dallas will look to close out Minnesota on Tuesday. |
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Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving scores 33 points in Game 3 triumph
Sun, May 26, 2024, 9:50 PM
Kyrie Irving played 42 minutes in Sunday's 116-107 win over Minnesota, tallying 33 points (12-of-20 FGs, 6-of-8 FTs), three rebounds, four assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers.
Analysis: Dallas has the proven âclosersâ in this series, while Minnesota doesn't. Irving scored 14 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter, combining with Luka Doncic to lead the Mavericks to a 3-0 series lead. Teams that have won the first three games of a best-of-7 series are 154-0 all-time, so it may be a matter of âwhenâ the Mavericks reach the finals for the first time since 2011 instead of âif.â Also, Irving is 14-0 in his NBA postseason career in close-out games. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic posts 33/7/5/5/1 line in Game 3 win
Sun, May 26, 2024, 9:43 PM
Luka Doncic shot 10-of-20 from the field and 8-of-10 from the foul line in Sunday's 116-107 win over the Timberwolves, scoring 33 points with seven rebounds, five assists, five steals, one block, and five 3-pointers in 41 minutes.
Analysis: Even with Doncic playing through ankle and knee injuries, the Timberwolves do not have an answer for him defensively. The All-NBA guard shot 50% from the field in Game 3, helping to lead the Mavericks on a 13-3 run in âclosing time.â The tandem of Doncic and Kyrie Irving gives Dallas arguably the two best closers in the league, while Minnesota has no such option to rely on. The Mavericks will look to end the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday, and doing so would give Doncic (and Dereck Lively II) some much-needed time off before the NBA Finals. |
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Dereck Lively II Dereck Lively II (neck) will not return on Sunday
Sun, May 26, 2024, 9:18 PM
Mavs PR on Twitter
Dereck Lively II (neck sprain) has been ruled out for the remainder of Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Lively has been out since the second quarter when he took an inadvertent Karl-Anthony Towns knee to the back of the head. The rookie center was initially considered questionable to return, but he has since been downgraded to out. Dwight Powell played a few rotation minutes with Lively sidelined, but starter Daniel Gafford has absorbed most of the available minutes. |
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Dereck Lively II Dereck Lively II (neck) questionable to return
Sun, May 26, 2024, 8:30 PM
Mavs PR on Twitter
Dereck Lively II (neck sprain) is questionable to return to Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Lively was injured during the second quarter when he took an inadvertent Karl-Anthony Towns knee to the back of his head. The rookie, who remained down on the court for several minutes, required assistance during his walk to the locker room. The âpositiveâ news is that Lively's issue is a sprained neck instead of the NBA's concussion protocols. Daniel Gafford will play more minutes in the second half but is not as good of a playmaker out of the short roll as Lively. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) available for Game 3
Sun, May 26, 2024, 6:22 PM
Mavs PR on Twitter
Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is available for Sunday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: While Doncic remained on the injury report due to two injuries, the knee cast some doubt on his status for Game 3. The All-NBA guard went through his pregame routine without significant issues, so he will play on Sunday night. Jaden Hardy has moved into the rotation for this series and could pick up a few more minutes if Doncic struggles. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) questionable Sunday
Sat, May 25, 2024, 5:39 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is questionable for Sunday's Game 3 against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Doncic has been laboring through the ankle and knee injuries, still playing at least 40 minutes most nights. DFS players should expect a similar approach to Game 3, with the Mavericks attempting to take a 3-0 series lead. Doncic has not missed a game this postseason; a potential absence would put more offensive responsibility on Kyrie Irving's plate. |
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Daniel Gafford Daniel Gafford tallies 16 points, five blocks
Fri, May 24, 2024, 10:23 PM
Daniel Gafford was excellent in his 21 minutes in Friday's 109-108 win over Minnesota, amassing 16 points (8-of-10 FGs, 0-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, and five blocked shots.
Analysis: Like Game 1, Gafford played fewer minutes than backup Dereck Lively II on Friday. However, that didn't prevent him from having an impact, especially defensively. Gafford blocked five shots while also shooting 80% from the field, excellently finishing around the basket in the two-man game. As for Lively, he played 27 minutes in Game 2, finishing with 14 points, nine rebounds, and two assists. The rookie did not miss a shot, going 6-of-6 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line. Dallas' big man tag team will look to keep the momentum rolling when they host Game 3 on Sunday. |
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Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving records 20/4/6/1 line in Game 2 win
Fri, May 24, 2024, 10:20 PM
Kyrie Irving logged 39 minutes in Friday's 109-108 win over Minnesota, accumulating 20 points (7-of-16 FGs, 2-of-5 FTs), four rebounds, six assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers.
Analysis: Irving had a tough night at the foul line, but that doesn't erase the overall contributions. He was especially important during the moments when backcourt sidekick Luka Doncic was laboring through ankle and knee ailments. Irving and Doncic are the biggest reasons why Dallas returns home for Sunday's Game 3 with a 2-0 series lead. Kyrie has scored 20 points or more in three straight games and is making 48.7% of his attempts from the field against Minnesota. |
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Luka Doncic Hobbled Luka Doncic hits game-winner, scores 32
Fri, May 24, 2024, 10:10 PM
NBA on Twitter
Luka Doncic shot 10-of-23 from the field and 7-of-7 from the foul line in Friday's 109-108 win over Minnesota, scoring 32 points with 10 rebounds, 13 assists, and five 3-pointers in 41 minutes.
Analysis: Doncic isn't playing at full strength, as he has been dealing with ankle and knee issues. Despite making multiple trips to the locker room during Game 2, the All-NBA guard saved his best for last. Doncic hit a step-back 3-pointer over Rudy Gobert with 3.0 seconds remaining to give Dallas a one-point lead and eventually the win. Luka has recorded four triple-doubles this postseason, and the Mavericks are two wins away from the NBA Finals. Game 4 is on Sunday night, and while Doncic is likely to appear on the injury report, look for him to take on his usual workload. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (ankle, knee) active for Game 2 Friday
Fri, May 24, 2024, 6:21 PM
Mavs PR on Twitter
Luka Doncic (left ankle soreness, right knee sprain) is available for Friday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: As expected, Doncic is good to go after the Mavericks listed him as probable on the initial injury report. Unless Game 2 gets out of hand in either direction, he should play at least 40 minutes on Friday. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic (knee/ankle) probable for Game 2
Thu, May 23, 2024, 5:35 PM
NBA Injury Report
Luka Doncic (right knee sprain/left ankle soreness) is probable for Game 2 against Minnesota on Friday.
Analysis: Luka is still dealing with multiple injuries, but that isn't expected to keep him out of the lineup. He came alive in the fourth quarter of Game 1, and he'll look to have another big performance in Game 2 with an opportunity to steal both games on the road. |
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Dereck Lively II Dereck Lively II grabs team-high 11 rebounds
Wed, May 22, 2024, 10:30 PM
Dereck Lively II shot 4-of-4 from the field and 1-of-1 from the foul line in Wednesday's win over Minnesota, amassing nine points, 11 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in 27 minutes.
Analysis: As has been the case on most nights since the trade deadline, Lively and starting center Daniel Gafford combined to provide solid production for the Mavericks in Wednesday's series opener. The rookie out of Duke was more effective as a rebounder and shot blocker, and his ability to make plays out of the short roll is why Lively played more than Gafford. And DG was solid in his time on the court, accounting for 10 points, nine rebounds, and one blocked shot. While Lively and Gafford averaged similar minutes in the second round (23.0 per game for the former, 23.5 for the latter), don't be surprised if the former plays a little more in this series. |
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Kyrie Irving Kyrie Irving comes out hot, finishes with 30 PTS
Wed, May 22, 2024, 10:23 PM
Kyrie Irving shot 12-of-23 from the field and 6-of-6 from the foul line in Wednesday's 108-105 win over Minnesota, tallying 30 points, five rebounds, four assists, and one blocked shot in 40 minutes.
Analysis: Irving missed all three 3-point attempts in Wednesday's series opener but was excellent in the paint. The Mavericks guard shot 8-of-13 in the paint, including 5-of-7 inside the restricted area. And after consistently getting off to slow starts during Dallas' second-round series against Oklahoma City, Irving set the tone on Wednesday. He shot 11-of-14 from the field in the first half, scoring 24 of his 30 points. Look for a more aggressive Irving moving forward, as he has the most playoff experience of any player in the Mavericks rotation. |
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Luka Doncic Luka Doncic scores game-high 33 points in Game 1
Wed, May 22, 2024, 10:18 PM
Luka Doncic played 41 minutes in Wednesday's Game 1 win over the Timberwolves, scoring 33 points (12-of-26 FGs, 6-of-7 FTs), six rebounds, eight assists, three steals, one block, and three 3-pointers.
Analysis: Doncic saved his best for last in Game 1, shooting 5-of-8 from the field in the fourth quarter as the Mavericks erased a seven-point deficit to win. He's scored 29 or more in each of Dallas' last three games, surpassing the 30-point mark twice. Doncic continues to play through nagging ankle and knee injuries, and he's only failed to crack 40 minutes once this postseason. That was Dallas' 30-point win over the Clippers in Game 5 of that first-round series, and he played 39 minutes that night. Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals is on Friday night. |
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