Mavs Upgrade Josh Green's Injury Status vs. Cavs, Downgrade Tim Hardaway Jr.
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks are set to face the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday's first night of a back-to-back, with no shortage of essential players listed on the injury report. Coming off a 124-112 win over the Phoenix Suns, capping off the NBA's five-game Christmas Day slate, the Mavs will look to continue its momentum.
Luka Doncic began the day listed as questionable due to left quad soreness. There was no change in his status on the initial injury reports the Mavs submitted to the NBA, making his status one to watch throughout the day, particularly with the team playing against the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves the following night.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Mavs already ruled out Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion) and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation). However, Josh Green (right elbow sprain) went from being considered out on Tuesday to being upgraded to questionable after the team's morning shootaround at American Airlines Center.
Green has been sidelined for the Mavs' previous 12 games as he recovered from a right elbow sprain — the same injury he dealt with early last season. He's averaged 6.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 18 games, shooting 42.2 percent from the floor and 36.5 percent from 3-point range.
The Mavs added Tim Hardaway Jr. to the injury report as questionable with illness. He's played an essential sixth-man role this season and has missed only three games. The sharpshooter has averaged 17.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists, shooting 40.6 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from deep.
When the Mavs regain Irving in the lineup, their plan for the starting lineup will involve continuing to deploy Dante Exum and Derrick Jones Jr. alongside Doncic, Irving, and Dereck Lively II. Grant Williams was moved to the bench for Monday's win over the Phoenix Suns and will remain in that role for the foreseeable future.
