Mavs vs. Grizzlies Preview: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving OUT; Full Details
Load managing typically is met with eye rolls and scoffs. However, in the Dallas Mavericks' case, their superstar, Luka Doncic, embodies why preserving a high-usage player for the course of a season remains vital to team building.
Without Doncic for the second consecutive game, as he deals with a thigh strain suffered vs. the New Orleans Pelicans on March 8, Dallas must find a way to stay above .500 with the Memphis Grizzlies in town for Saturday's rematch. Aside from Doncic, Kyrie Irving will also miss Monday's action due to foot soreness, although coach Jason Kidd told the media the hope is that his star duo will be practicing again on Tuesday.
Saturday's matchup saw the Mavs' young players, Josh Green and rookie Jaden Hardy, force a close contest. The two prospects combined for 43 points, leaving the door open for a rare win without Dallas' two stars. Furthermore, another excellent performance came at the hands of Tim Hardaway Jr. as the streaky shooter scored 23 points with four three-point conversions.
One would think three players combining for 66 points with Doncic and Irving out would lead to victory. However, Dallas lacks resistance on defense. Losing a close game despite impressive scoring performances from three role players without the main table setters was a punch in the gut -- especially when considering the Mavs had an 11-point lead at some point.
The Grizzles, withstanding the multitude of injuries and the Ja Morant issues, are still tied for the second-best team in the Western Conference. Who's to say Dallas can't repeat such an outing from its promising role players, especially if Irving doesn't suit up at the American Airlines Center?
Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies Injury Report
Dallas Mavericks
- Luka Doncic (OUT - thigh)
- Kyrie Irving (OUT - foot)
- Christian Wood (Questionable - foot)
Memphis Grizzlies
- Steven Adams (OUT - knee)
- Brandon Clarke (OUT - achilles)
- Jake LaRavia (OUT - back)
- Ja Morant (OUT - not with team)
- Vince Williams Jr. (OUT - shoulder)
FUN FACT: Although in a loss, Jaden Hardy started in his first NBA game vs. the Grizzles last Saturday night and put up 22 points in a team-high 37 minutes played, including a clutch 3-pointer in the final two minutes to tie the game at 104-all before things went downhill for Dallas.
RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (34-34), Memphis Grizzles (40-26)
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 13, at 6:30 p.m. CT
WHERE: American Airlines Center, (Dallas, TX)
TV: ESPN, Bally Sports Southwest
RADIO: 97.1 The Freak
ODDS: The Mavs are 1.5-point underdogs to the Grizzles.
NEXT UP: The Mavs play the San Antonio Spurs at the AT&T center on Wednesday, at 7:30 p.m. CT.
FINAL WORD: Conspiracy theory or not, it's clear something is going on with Christian Wood and the Mavs' franchise. The elephant in the room won't stop its trumpeting, and it loudens as the Mavs lose without Doncic and Irving in the lineup. Trading for Wood only to tank his free agent value would be basketball malpractice, and we'd like to think that's not what's actually happening. However, Draymond Green thought otherwise on his recent podcast with Mavs guest JaVale McGee.
Jason Kidd must find a way to coexist with the disgruntled Wood, for the sake of the season.
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