If any team epitomizes a rollercoaster ride this season, it’s the Dallas Mavericks. By trading off the iconic Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers and now being the tenth seed, they have kept their fans on the edge of their seats. The Mavericks’ season has been a test of endurance, and now, as they prepare to face Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, their biggest opponent might not be San Antonio, it’s their own injury list.

Coach Jason Kidd expressed concern over the mounting injuries, stating, “Never been in a game where we could not take someone out to rest them because we had no one to put in. At the end of the bench, usually, you can put someone in. If they were not in [street] clothes, they were in the back getting stitches or could not move or walk. It’s tough. It is what it is, though. You’ve got to keep pushing forward.”

Clearly a pain-point for the Dallas side. Let’s dive into the injury report and see which players are sidelined and how it all unfolded for Kidd’s boys.

Are Brandon Williams and P.J. Washington playing against the Spurs?

Times are tough for Dallas fans, there are nine players listed injured. Let’s start with a player whose status is questionable.

Brandon Williams (Guard)–Day-to-Day

Brandon Williams is the only one listed as day-to-day due to a left hamstring injury. In last night’s game against the Suns, Williams performed well. He scored 13 points, exceeding his season average of 5.8, along with five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. However, fate changed in the final minutes of the third quarter when he felt tightness in his hamstring. Although he finished the game, the injury forced him out for the rest of the game.

The team remains hopeful for a quick recovery, but his status for the Spurs game is still up in the air.

Kai Jones (Power Forward)–Out

The Bahamian center will miss the game against the Spurs due to a quadriceps injury. Jones was also ruled out against the Suns, and his status remains the same for this matchup.

P.J. Washington (Power Forward)–Out

P.J. Washington will also be unavailable for this game. The Kentucky veteran sustained a right ankle injury against the Houston Rockets on February 8. However, despite this, he played in several games since then and looked fully recovered after the All-Star break. But, now it seems that the injury continued to bother him.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper (Forward)–Out (Season-Ending Surgery)

A major heartbreak, Olivier-Maxence Prosper. His right wrist injury and subsequent season-ending surgery have dealt a significant blow to the team’s morale and playoff aspirations. We know that he played a valuable role for the Mavericks in their front-court, but this injury means he will miss the remainder of the season.

Anthony Davis (Power Forward)–Out

The newest Mavs member, Anthony Davis, was brought in with high hopes to strengthen the team, but his debut took a turn for the worse. Against the Houston Rockets, he sustained a left adductor strain during the third quarter. Though no contact caused the injury, Davis immediately felt it and exited the game. The team ruled him out for the rest of the matchup, and he has remained sidelined with no clear timeline for his return.

Daniel Gafford (Center)–Out

Against the Sacramento Kings, Daniel Gafford made knee-to-knee contact with Kings guard Malik Monk, and it resulted in a knee injury. He was playing well before the injury but was unable to continue and has been out since then. However, the Mavericks conveyed the good news that he is progressing in his recovery, but he will miss this game against the Spurs.

Dereck Lively II (Center)–Out

Dereck Lively II, a young center, has been out since January 14 due to a stress fracture in his right ankle. Initially, the injury was believed to be a right ankle sprain, but an MRI revealed a stress fracture. Lively has made progress, but he will not return in time for the game against the Spurs.

Jaden Hardy (Guard)–Out

With a right ankle sprain sustained against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaden Hardy is out.  The team hoped for a recovery soon, but he won’t be available for the game against the Spurs.

Kyrie Irving (Point Guard)–Out (Season-Ending Surgery)

Finally, we are at the end of the injury report but with a big one. After Doncic’s exit, Kyrie Irving became the soul of the team. But they have lost their star for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL. He landed awkwardly after a foul from DeMar DeRozan of the Sacramento Kings. Irving’s knee hyperextended, causing him to fall to the floor in clear discomfort, and this ended his season.

With key defensive players like Anthony Davis and Daniel Gafford sidelined, the Mavericks will struggle to contain Wembanyama in the paint. Expect Dwight Powell to take on a bigger defensive role, while Caleb Martin may need to help with rim protection. So how do Dallas potentially line up against San Antonio?

Who will make it to the Mavericks lineup against the Spurs?

Before looking at the potential line-up, we will look at their depth chart so that we have an idea.

Potential lineup: PG- Brandon Williams or Spencer Dinwiddie, SG- Max Christie, SF- Klay Thompson, PF- Caleb Martin, and C- Dwight Powell.

With key players like Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper out, the Mavericks face an uphill battle in their playoff chase. The Mavericks’ injury crisis tests their depth, pushing role players into bigger roles against a rebuilding but hungry Spurs squad.

With just a few weeks left in the season, every win matters. And how Dallas navigates this injury crisis could determine whether they stay in the play-in picture or fade from contention. Can the Mavericks rally behind their remaining stars, or will this injury-riddled stretch derail their season?