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Mavericks extremely banged up ahead of battle with Timberwolves

Dallas has gone 4-10 since losing Luka Doncic to injury on Christmas Day against Minnesota.
Joe Nelson|
Jan 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after suffering a possible leg injury during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Jan 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) reacts after suffering a possible leg injury during the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Minnesota Timberwolves

Life is tough in the NBA when key players get injured. Just ask the Timberwolves, who may have to go the rest of the season without Donte DiVincenzo. But as significant as the DiVincenzo sprained big toe is for Minnesota, the injury report released by the Timberwolves Tuesday is nothing compared to the laundry list of ailments the Dallas Mavericks are dealing with.

It sets the stage for an interesting battle in Dallas Wednesday night as the Mavericks host the Timberwolves. While Minnesota will likely open the game with the starting five that they began the season with, the Mavericks could be without two of their five opening day starters and a handful of other key contributors.

Luka Doncic? Still out as he deals with a calf strain suffered on Christmas Day against Minnesota.

Klay Thompson? Questionable with a sprained ankle.

Four others have also already been ruled out: Dwight Powell (hip), Jaden Hardy (ankle), Dante Exum (wrist), and Dereck Lively II, who has suffered a broken foot and could miss up to three months. Also questionable are Quentin Grimes (back spasms) and Naji Marshall (illness).

The only sure things for the Mavericks Wednesday night are Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. Spencer Dinwiddie and Maxi Kleber could also have prominent roles.

This is pretty much the same roster that lost to Charlotte on Monday.

Dallas is 4-10 since Doncic was injured on Christmas Day.

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have dropped four of their last six games by a total of 12 points.

Tipoff is set for about 6:30 p.m. CT and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN and locally on FanDuel Sports Network.

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Joe Nelson
JOE NELSON

Joe Nelson has more than 20 years of experience in Minnesota sports journalism. Nelson began his career in sports radio, working at smaller stations in Marshall and St. Cloud before moving to the highly-rated KFAN-FM 100.3 in the Twin Cities. While there, he produced the popular mid-morning show hosted by Minnesota Vikings play-by-play announcer Paul Allen. His time in radio laid the groundwork for his transition to sports writing in 2011. He covers the Vikings, Timberwolves, Gophers and Twins for On SI.

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