DALLAS, TEXAS — After improving to 5-4 on the season the Mavericks have experienced some bad breaks. They were informed shortly after their victory in Denver they would be without 3 players due to Covid 19 protocols and after their second home win of the season, they were informed they would be without Maxi Kleber due to Covid 19 protocols, but he is listed as questionable on the injury report for tonight’s home game against the Pelicans.
For the first time this season a familiar name popped up on the injury report. Kristaps Porzingis is listed as questionable, possibly leaving the door open to make his 2021 season debut. The last time Porzingis played was last season in the playoffs against the Clippers but suffered a torn meniscus which sidelined him for the remainder of the playoffs and he decided to have surgery on his knee in October with hopes of being available for the season which most players believed would have started in Spring 2021, but began 61 days after the NBA season concluded in October. The good news is it looks like rehab has been a success.
Porzingis has travelled and participated in most of the teams practices so far this season. Porzingis possibly available tonight, isn’t because of the recent Covid 19 outbreak the Mavericks experienced. The expectation since the beginning of the season was that he would be available sometime in January once he is 100%.
In 57 games played, Porzingis averaged 18.4 points and 7.6 rebounds for the Mavericks last season and knocked down 43% of his shots from the perimeter.
The Mavericks are down some players and like other professional leagues Covid-19 outbreaks were expected. Dallas has shown they are not afraid to go deep in their tool bag and have the depth on their roster that can still present problems for opposing teams. Adding KP into the mix will enhance the overall performance and help the Mavericks deal with their availability limitations.
