Mavericks going from bad to worse after latest injury

The Dallas Mavericks continue to ride the struggle bus.

Mar 16, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks have been in free fall since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.

NBA.com writer John Schuhmann points out how the Mavs have struggled as of late.

READ MORE: Shaquille O'Neal believes Mavericks are cursed since Luka Doncic-Lakers trade

Mar 16, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Mark Cuban reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

From bad to worse

"The Mavs did get a win last week, scoring 133 points on 98 possessions (their second-most-efficient performance of the season) in the first of two games in San Antonio. They had a relatively low assist rate, but four of their eight available guys scored 22 points or more. Their defense has been worse than their offense (which ranks first in turnover rate) over the seven games since Kyrie Irving was lost for the season," Schuhmann writes.

"Things somehow got worse for the Mavs last week, with Danté Exum breaking his hand in their 37-point loss in Houston on Friday. They did get P.J. Washington back from a seven-game absence on Sunday but still had just the minimum eight available players against Philly. They can’t sign anybody (because of CBA rules) until the last week of the season and starting center Kessler Edwards is only eligible for two more games (because he’s on a two-way contract and has been active for 48 of a maximum 50). The good news is that the Mavs have only two games this week, but they’ll need one of their injured guys to get back by next Monday."

If things don't look up for the Mavs soon, it could end in missing the Play-In Tournament entirely, which would put them in a small group of teams that have gone from the NBA Finals to the lottery in one season.

READ MORE: Mavericks announce Anthony Davis move signaling a return from injury

Stick with MavericksGameday for more FREE coverage of the Dallas Mavericks throughout the 2024-25 Season

Follow MavericksGameday on Twitter and Austin Veazey on Twitter

More Dallas Mavericks News

• Mark Cuban reveals how Mavericks can win back fans after Luka Doncic-Lakers trade

• Dallas Mavericks receive devastating injury news on star Kyrie Irving

• Anthony Davis' plea to Mavericks fans after Luka Doncic-Lakers trade probably won't work

• Kyrie Irving calls out report that Mavericks were playing him too much before ACL injury