5 Quick Mavericks Thoughts

Another win, March milestone date, Wembanyama injury, Max Christie and more

Photo by Tim Heitman / Getty Images

The All-Star break is behind us, and the Mavericks are finally back in action. It’s been eight days since Dallas last played, but plenty has happened in that time, both around the league and for the Mavericks. That’s why I wanted to share a few quick thoughts on everything from another Mavs win, Mavs injury updates, Wembanyama’s injury, and more.

Programming note: Two big Mavericks games are coming up. First, a crucial matchup against the Warriors—both teams are neck-and-neck in the standings, making this rematach a major test. Then, it’s Mavericks-Lakers in LA, the first meeting since the trade. I’ll have full coverage, including a preview and postgame observations, for that one.

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Today’s highlights:

1. Mavs keep fighting, keep winning

2. Wembanyama injury all but guarantees a play-in spot

3. March 6th: The next big milestone

4. Max Christie keeps showing things (🎞️VIDEO)

5. Klay Thompson (no) decision looming

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1-Mavs keep fighting, keep winning

Ten days ago, after the undermanned Mavericks beat the Jimmy Butler-upgraded Golden State Warriors, I wrote An Ode to the Fighting Dallas Mavericks. Since then, the Mavericks have gutted out two more wins, beating the Miami Heat in the last game before the break with Kyrie Irving taking a well-deserved rest and taking care of business against the lowly New Orleans Pelicans and Zion Williamson last night.

Yes, the Pelicans are tanking and struggling, with last night's loss marking their 11th in the last 12 games. But what Jason Kidd and his squad are showing us is that the trade, along with all the heat and distractions that came with it, didn’t discourage them. On the contrary, it seems to have brought the team closer together and motivated them to prove the outside world wrong, showing they are still a deep and high-level team.

Dallas has now won five of its last six games, fueled by the steady play of Irving, who is averaging nearly 28 points on 44 percent three-point shooting during this stretch, along with strong contributions from the guard and wing depth behind him. P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Klay Thompson, Naji Marshall, Dante Exum, Spencer Dinwiddie, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and Kessler Edwards have all made key contributions during this run, showcasing a level of depth that only a few elite teams can match.

2-Wembanyama injury all but guarantees a play-in spot

What this last stretch showed us is that the Mavericks, even without their full big-man rotation and barring another major injury, won’t fall apart. The team is too resilient and too good for that. With the Spurs shutting down Victor Wembanyama due to an unfortunate blood clot in his shoulder, that leaves 11 teams fighting for the 10 spots to secure at least a play-in game. With the way Phoenix is playing and sitting five wins and three losses behind the Mavericks, I don’t see Dallas falling out. However, as I wrote in my Western Conference playoff race check, playing undersized and with the packed race ahead, I have a hard time seeing the Mavericks climb out of the play-in spots despite the soft schedule. Maybe the next two games, if Dallas wins both, can change that, but there are simply too many teams playing at a high level.

3-March 6th: The next big milestone

Big picture, what happens with the health of their big men is far more important for Dallas than the fight for the best playoff position. March 6th is the date when the next status update for all three big men—Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, and Daniel Gafford—will be released. With Davis' timeline being the most impactful, the key question is what his reevaluation on March 6th will reveal. Will he be cleared to return soon after, or will he need a couple more weeks to work his way back into playing shape?

The Mavericks can survive and stay afloat without Davis, but if they hope to do anything significant in the playoffs, they’ll need to get him on the court for at least a handful of games before the postseason. Davis is a game-changer on both ends, but as such, getting any reps and building at least some chemistry—continuity has been a lost word in this injury-riddled season—would be crucial for Dallas down the stretch in late March and April. The Mavericks have shown they have far more depth than in past seasons, allowing them to survive injuries and the grind of the regular season. However, for a deep playoff run, you need a tested one-two punch, a clear hierarchy, and proven role players filling the 3-to-6 spots.

4-Max Christie keeps showing things