In a perfect world, a Kyrie-Luka duel against LeBron-AD would’ve been the stuff of legends. But, plot twist: that dream matchup won’t grace Tuesday night. Instead, an injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks squad, led by Jason Kidd, gears up to clash with the West’s fourth-seeded LA Lakers. This showdown promises drama, as the standings could take a wild turn. Yet, Dallas faces steeper stakes as injuries sideline key stars and the roster takes a frustrating new hit.

Surely the basketball gods have picked up a fight with Jason Kidd’s boys. Luka Doncic’s uncertain return seems to be JUST NOT ENOUGH while the head coach drops new updates. And, concerning ones, might I add. So, what’s the news? Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News has informed: “Jason Kidd said Daniel Gafford is probably “going to be out for some time.””

Monday brought more bad news for the Mavs. Mid-game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Daniel Gafford limped off with a left ankle sprain, adding insult to injury—literally. Before his untimely exit, Gafford had chipped in five points and grabbed a rebound. Just like that, the injury snatched away another piece of the puzzle. Moreover, the game ended in a 119-104 loss for the Lone Star State.

Thus, Jason Kidd has a mammoth task ahead of Tuesday’s big face-off. And that is to strategize a game with his limited resources. So, now, let’s take a quick look at the injury status of the Mavs as Kai and Luka sit away from the team.

Injury Updates on Jason Kidd’s Dallas Mavericks

Jason Kidd’s shining light, Luka Doncic, was spotted rolling around on a scooter, his left foot unable to bear any weight. Meanwhile, Kyrie Irving has been benched for one to two weeks, courtesy of a nagging disc issue in his back. And just when it couldn’t get worse, Daniel Gafford crashed the injury party, leaving the coach scrambling to piece together a lineup and restore some rhythm in a league that shows no mercy.

Kyrie and Luka weren’t just players—they were the architects of Jason Kidd’s vision, piecing the Mavericks together brick by brick. We witnessed their brilliance firsthand in the 2024 NBA Finals, though the Boston Celtics ultimately stole the show. Fast forward to now, and the Mavs are stumbling. With a dismal 3-7 record in their last ten games, they’ve managed only three wins. For a team of their caliber, it’s a slump that feels almost surreal.

So now it’s for the Dallas Mavericks to bounce back. It’s time for Jason Kidd to do what he does best, and that is, strategize, implement, and see the results. But, without Kai, Doncic, and Gafford, will it be possible? Can Klay Thompson become the main key like he once was for the Bay Area? Tuesday’s game vs. the Lakers will answer it all.