Coach Jason Kidd on Mavs' Dwindling Playoff Chances: 'No One's Dying'
DALLAS – Health and availability is a skill in professional sports, and for the Dallas Mavericks, the injury bug has hit them at the least opportune time with the postseason just one month away.
On Monday night, the undermanned Mavs fell to the Memphis Grizzlies for the second straight game, 104-88, losing their third consecutive game overall and their ninth loss in the last 12 games.
In the loss, Dallas was without both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the second straight game, along with Christian Wood, who was out with right foot soreness.
Following the game, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd spoke to the media on the health of the team going forward in the final stretch of the regular season.
"Just understand, our health – this is what we have, these are the cards we're dealt," Kidd said following Monday's loss. "Just like anybody in this league, we've got to play with the cards that we had tonight. We played a good half of basketball with a young backcourt that's learning how to play the NBA game. Put that in perspective against a very good defensive team."
And the cards dealt to Dallas as of late have been less than ideal. With the injuries to Doncic and Irving on top of the continued late game struggles and defensive woes, the Mavericks have fallen from the No. 5 seed just last week to the No. 8 seed, falling under .500 for the first time since Dec. 19.
"Understand, we're getting better – it's just a matter of can we be healthy in time to make a stretch run?" Kidd asked. "If not, that's just the season. No one is dying."
No one is dying, indeed, but Dallas' chances at a run in the postseason, let alone a playoff berth, are getting close to being on life support.
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