Mavericks Upgrade Crucial Big Man Ahead of Matchup With Lakers

With a few hours to go before the highly-anticipated matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks, a key player has seen their injury status be updated. The Mavericks have updated big man Dwight Powell to being questionable for the contest.

Dallas is very thin in the front court as things currently stand so this could be a big gain for them. Powell has been dealing with a right hip strain and has missed significant time due to injury.

The #Mavs have upgraded Dwight Powell (right hip strain) to questionable for tonight's game against the #Lakers.

Looks like it's possible that the Mavs could get one of their injured bigs back tonight.

PJ Washington (ankle) remains questionable.
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) February 25, 2025

It remains to be seen if Powell will suit up for this game but if he does, Dallas may elect to be cautious with him due to return from injury. The Mavericks are already going to be without a few players due to injury so the hope for them would be that Powell can play.

We should know closer to game start whether Powell will play.

This game is one of the more highly-anticipated games in recent memory due to the blockbuster trade of Luka Doncic that took place a few weeks ago. Doncic will be playing against the Mavericks for the first time since the trade went down and many are expecting him to look for some revenge.

Teammate Dorian Finney-Smith is excited to see Doncic face his former team in the game. But he also just wants Los Angeles to come away with the win.

“I’m excited, man,” Finney-Smith said. “I know (Dončić is) gonna be ready but I try not to put too much pressure on him because at the end of the day, we just want to get the win. We get the win, I know he’s gonna be happy.

“I knew it was just gonna come. Knowing Luka, I shoot with him all the time, so I knew nothing (was) wrong with his shot. He hasn’t played for a while, so he ain’t played since Christmas. And guys want him to come back and be 30, 10 and 10, but it takes time. He’s human, and I’m just happy he found his rhythm.”

In the end, getting the win is the most important part of the game tonight. Los Angeles is battling for playoff seeding so every game heavily counts at this point in the year.

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