What a season the Dallas Mavericks are having! Usually, when we say this, it’s because a team is outdoing everyone’s expectations of them. And the Mavs are doing exactly that. Except they’re having one of the worst seasons they’ve had in recent times. As if trading away Luka wasn’t bad enough, their centers, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and their newest franchise player, Anthony Davis, have all caught the injury bug. Now, they face their next challenge in the form of the Orlando Magic.

With Orlando looking to clinch a Playoff spot in the East, this game won’t be easy for the Mavs. So, let’s see what the injury report can tell us about the personnel they can count on for this game.

Dallas Mavericks Injury Report – Major updates on Daniel Gafford and Kyrie Irving

Following the Mavs’ win over the Detroit Pistons, Daniel Gafford spoke to Mark Followill to give us all an update on his recovery. “Practice was good…” he said. “It was just another step in the process…Good vibes, great atmosphere, great attitude — just trying to get better and feel better too,” he added. While it’s good to hear that Gafford’s recovery is coming along smoothly, a massive question still looms over him.

Will Daniel Gafford play the Mavs’ next game?

The simple answer is no. Gafford is OUT for the Orlando Magic game, per the injury report. He may end up missing the rest of the regular season for the Mavs. His only chance to feature for them this year is if the Mavs somehow make it to the postseason.

However, one player who won’t make an appearance for Dallas even if they get to the playoffs is Kyrie Irving. But there’s still a positive update regarding him. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the surgery to repair Kai’s torn left ACL went well. He is now in recovery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

This is great news for Mavs fans who were anxious about Irving. But he’s still OUT for the season. That said, here are the rest of the injured players for the Mavs.

• Dante Exum – OUT (Left Hand; Fracture)
• Dereck Lively II – OUT (Right Ankle; Stress Fracture)
• Olivier-Maxence Prosper – OUT (Right Wrist; Surgery)
• PJ Washington – OUT (Left Ankle; Sprain)
• Anthony Davis – QUESTIONABLE (Left Adductor; Strain)
• Caleb Martin – QUESTIONABLE (Right Hip; Strain)
• Brandon Williams – QUESTIONABLE (Low Back; Tightness)

This isn’t the worst report we’ve seen from the ‘Big D’. But as you may have inferred from the names above, their woes at center are nowhere close to ending. Prosper, Lively II, and Gafford, all being out, does not bode well for them. Anthony Davis is their last hope for a big man being among their ranks against the Magic. But even he’s questionable ahead of this game. And AD’s appearance will likely be a game-time decision. After all, he did sit out the Knicks game.

Let’s see how Jason Kidd may deal with this dearth of big men as we try to predict the Mavs’ lineup for this game.

Dallas Mavericks vs Orlando Magic – predicted starting lineup and depth chart

One silver lining for the Mavs from this whole ordeal involving Daniel Gafford and Co. is the fact that they’ve unearthed some gems in their search for a viable option at the five. Olivier-Maxence Prosper was among those, and Kai Jones is the latest with a chance to breakout for the Mavs. He nearly recorded a double-double against the Nets. And has the chance to seal the deal this time against the Magic.

Here’s what a Mavs side with Jones may look like:

Even if Kai Jones is on the cusp of a breakout season, the Magic still has an opportunity to capitalize on a Dallas team that’s been ravaged by injuries. However, if players like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson are on for the Mavs, then this won’t be easy.

All in all, we see this game being very close. Nevertheless, the Magic being the team in better form gives them an edge in this matchup. But who do you have winning this matchup? Let us know!