Dallas down to eight healthy players with few two-way games left, could it have to forfeit a game?
Could Dallas have to forfeit a game because it doesn't have enough healthy players?
It's possible. It's not likely, but it's not out of the question. It's something Bobby Marks first got into at ESPN.
NBA rules require a team to dress at least eight healthy players for a game, or it must forfeit. Dallas has been so ravaged by injuries that it is down to eight healthy players: Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Caleb Martin, Max Christie, Spencer Dinwiddie, Brandon Williams, Dwight Powell, and Kessler Edwards.
That's because all these players are injured:
• Kyrie Irving (torn ACL)
• Anthony Davis (adductor strain)
• Dereck Lively II (ankle stress fracture)
• Daniel Gafford (knee sprain)
• P.J. Washington (ankle sprain)
• Dante Exum (fractured hand, announced Saturday)
• Olivier Maxence-Prosper (right wrist injury)
• Jaden Hardy (ankle sprain)
• Kai Jones (quad strain)
The concern in Dallas is that two of their healthy players are two-way players nearing their limit of 50 games up with the main club. Kessler Edwards has been with Dallas for 47 games, while Bradon Williams is at 44. Once they reach 50, they can no longer play with the Mavericks and must return to the G-League.
Why don't the Mavericks convert one or both of Edwards or Williams to regular contracts or sign another player on a 10-day contract? Because they can't afford to. Dallas is hard-capped at the first apron of the luxury tax and currently sits just $51,000 below that number, and a standard 10-day contract is double that. The Mavericks have no financial flexibility.
On the bright side, big men Jones and Washington didn't play on Friday but were listed as questionable for the game, suggesting they are close to returning. A week ago, coach Jason Kidd said that the three centers — Davis, Lively, and Gafford — were improving, although no timeline was given.
It's likely by the time Edwards and Williams max out the games they can play in Dallas Jones, Edwards and maybe one or two of the centers can return to the rotation. Dallas will almost certainly field eight players for all the rest of their games.
But the fact this is a conversation shows just how decimated the Mavericks have been by injuries.
-
Mets' Francisco Alvarez to miss 6-8 weeks with fracture in left hand
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza announced on Sunday morning that catcher Francisco Alvarez has a fractured hamate bone in his left hand and will be out for six-to-eight weeks following surgery.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9 -
Dante Exum suffers broken bone in hand
Shams Charania: Yet another injury hit for Dallas:Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Duke forward Cooper Flagg injures left ankle in ACC Tournament game
Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg, the presumptive No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, injured his left ankle during the Blue Devils’ ACC Tournament game on Thursday.NBC News - 3d -
Sixers vs. Mavericks game preview: How to watch, lineups, broadcast info
The Philadelphia 76ers will take on the Dallas Mavericks on the road on Sunday to begin a 6-game road trip.Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Depleted Mavs close out loss with just 7 players
The injury-ravaged Dallas Mavericks entered Sunday's game with only nine available players, three of whom suffered injuries during the contest, in a 125-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns. After the ...ESPN - 6d -
Art Schallock, Oldest Living Former M.L.B. Player, Dies at 100
The left-hander pitched a few dozen games for the Yankees from 1951-54.The New York Times - Mar. 9 -
It's not a competition! The collaborative video game loved by players
Josef Fares has found big success with co-operative two player games. Why aren't others doing the same?BBC News - 2d -
Player grades: Quentin Grimes leads Sixers to road win over Mavericks
Quentin Grimes leads the Philadelphia 76ers to a road win over the Dallas Mavericks to begin their trip.Yahoo Sports - 16h -
Anthony Davis tries to calm Mavericks fans after Luka Dončić trade, says Dallas 'gained a superstar in myself'
Davis has played only one game since joining the MavericksCBS Sports - Mar. 9
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Power rankings Big Ten basketball teams entering March Madness: Who is set for a deep run?
After Sunday's conclusion of the conference tournament, here are the Big Ten teams in the best shape entering March MadnessYahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Kyler Murray: I know we're headed in the right direction
Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has taken some time to connect with his heritage this offseason, but his life in the NFL was never far from his mind.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Former LSU football star Ja'Marr Chase signs historic contract extension
Ja'Marr Chase signed a record-setting contract extension with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him with former LSU teammate Joe BurrowYahoo Sports - 17m