Mavs vs. Warriors Preview: Amid Trade Rumors, Doncic-Less Dallas Battles in the Bay
Saturday night's contest vs. the Golden State Warriors should've be a special event for the Dallas Mavericks, as it’s their first game back in the Bay since there Western Conference Finals loss. However, seven days separated from Luka Doncic's mild ankle sprain, the superstar finds himself in a similar dilemma. Unfortunately, Doncic is out for Saturday’s game with a heel contusion.
Aside from Doncic's injury, Christian Wood remains out with a fractured thumb. Reportedly, Wood participated in 5-on-5 activity in the latest practice. However, despite the good news, his return doesn't come against the defending NBA champions.
Spencer Dinwiddie, who has been involved in Kyrie Irving trade rumors over the last 24 hours, is questionable for tonight’s contest due to what the Mavs are calling “injury management.”
Being the first game in San Francisco since the WCF, the lights are bright on a primetime ABC time slot. However, the path to success won’t be easy for Dallas. The former NBA champs currently sport a 26-26 overall record, but they’re 19-6 at home.
The nation will watch as Stephen Curry draws a large crowd regardless of the two teams' win-loss records. Another game without Doncic hints at nearly two hours of fans and analysts picking apart the Mavs' roster yet again.
Regarding the Mavs' roster, a change could be coming soon. As the February 9 trade deadline looms over the Mavs' organization, a deal feels imminent given how many rumors Dallas has been mentioned in. Coincidentally, the Brooklyn Nets' point guard Irving demanded a trade on Friday. As the Mavs desperately try to stay relevant in the playoff race, they naturally fit the bill for a theoretical Irving landing spot.
For the Warriors, Klay Thompson remains questionable due to a non-COVID illness, and Draymond Green is questionable as well due to a calf issue. Curry is listed as probable due to a lower leg contusion.
If Spencer Dinwiddie suits up, a Dallas win without Doncic seems possible, as we saw what the Mavs did to the Phoenix Suns recently when Doncic went down. However, without the second-best ball-handling player on the roster, it could be a long night for the Mavs.
FUN FACT: It's hard to find solace in Doncic missing games on what should’ve been a fun Saturday night, especially against the Warriors. However, the fans need good news, and the Mavs haven't ruled out Doncic for the rest of the five-game road trip. Perhaps this will just be a one-game absence for the MVP candidate.
RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (28-25), Golden State Warriors (26-26)
WHEN: Saturday, February 4, 2023 - 7:30 p.m. CT
WHERE: Chase Center, (San Franciso, CA)
TV: ABC
RADIO: 97.1 The Freak
ODDS: The Mavericks are 10-point underdogs to the Warriors.
NEXT UP: The Mavericks face the Utah Jazz on Monday.
FINAL WORD: Maybe the Mavericks shouldn't trade for a disgruntled point guard. The last time Dallas made a trade for such a player, it didn't end well. During the 2014-15 season, the Mavs traded for Rajon Rondo, consequently wrecking their offense and overall team morale.
Conversely, the 2022-23 Mavs don't have the same stellar offensive rating or record that the 2014-15 team had at that time either. However, they do have Doncic, who's better than the late-career version of Dirk Nowitzki in the Rondo-fiasco timeline.
Regardless of talent level, Dallas can't afford to lose any more assets for what could be a bumpy ride to an early playoff exit with Irving. Trading for an uncommitted player with toxic levels of chaotic and illogical behavior begs the question: is Irving worth sacrificing the Mavs' future? No. Is he worth taking a flyer on for the right price? Perhaps.
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