The Dallas Mavericks are heading into Wednesday’s matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves with more questions than answers-at least when it comes to their rotation. Klay Thompson has been downgraded to questionable due to left knee soreness, leaving Dallas uncertain about one of its key veteran shooters just hours before tipoff.
Thompson didn’t take part in the team’s morning shootaround, a sign that the Mavericks are being cautious with the 34-year-old. While his role this season has been more complementary than central, his presence still matters.
In 22 minutes per game across 43 appearances, he’s averaging 11.7 points while shooting 38.0% from deep on nearly eight attempts per night. That kind of spacing isn’t easily replaced-especially for a team that’s leaned on lineup flexibility all season.
Dallas has clearly been prioritizing long-term health over short-term risk when it comes to Thompson. And with his knee flaring up, it’s no surprise they’re taking a wait-and-see approach.
Meanwhile, Cooper Flagg was on the floor for shootaround, but he’s also listed as questionable due to left ankle injury management. That detail might seem minor, but it tells us a lot about how the Mavericks are managing their young star’s workload.
Flagg has been a workhorse in his rookie campaign, starting all 43 games and logging 33.8 minutes per contest. He’s putting up 18.8 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists a night-numbers that speak to his all-around impact.
Even in Saturday’s loss to the Lakers, Flagg turned in a well-rounded performance with 16 points, seven boards, and six assists in 34 minutes. He’s not just a scorer; he’s a connector, a playmaker, and a two-way presence.
Given that kind of load, it makes sense that Dallas is managing his minutes carefully. Ankle issues can linger if not handled properly, and with the season grinding into its second half, the Mavericks are playing the long game.
Also on the injury report is Moussa Cissé, who’s now listed as doubtful. The big man is on a two-way contract and has been part of the team’s effort to patch together frontcourt depth amid ongoing injuries. While he hasn’t played major minutes at the NBA level, his status still reflects the balancing act Dallas is performing behind the scenes.
With key players in flux, the Mavericks are once again leaning on a “next-man-up” mentality-something Dwight Powell emphasized after shootaround.
“People playing for each other, obviously following the game plan, and playing with a lot of energy,” Powell said. “But the biggest thing is playing for each other and the next-man-up mentality.”
That mindset has been essential for a team that’s had to roll with the punches all season. Powell noted that availability changes night to night, and with that comes the need for adaptability-even if it means rolling out lineups that don’t fit the traditional mold.
“Every night presents a different set of opportunities and a different set of challenges,” Powell said. “Regardless of who we have out there or what you’d call a traditional set of positions, guys just have to play the game.”
That philosophy will be tested against a Timberwolves team coming off a dominant defensive showing. Minnesota snapped a five-game losing skid with a 108-83 win over the Warriors, holding Golden State to just 34.7% shooting. And they did it without Anthony Edwards, who was a late scratch due to foot pain.
“It was news to me, honestly,” Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch said of Edwards’ absence.
Even without their star guard, Minnesota leaned into their defensive identity. Rudy Gobert anchored the effort with 15 points and 17 rebounds, reminding everyone why he’s still one of the league’s premier rim protectors. Powell acknowledged the challenge Gobert presents.
“He’s a great presence around the rim, offensively and defensively,” Powell said. “You can’t cheat on matchups.”
The Mavericks, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from a 116-110 loss to the Lakers that ended a four-game win streak. Despite the result, head coach Jason Kidd saw positives-especially from his younger contributors like Flagg, Max Christie, and Brandon Williams.
“I thought the group did a great job competing,” Kidd said. “We put ourselves in a great position to win a close game.”
As tipoff nears, all eyes will be on Dallas’ final rotation decisions. With Thompson’s knee still a concern and Flagg’s ankle being closely monitored, the Mavericks are walking a tightrope between maintaining momentum and protecting their core pieces. One thing’s for sure: they’ll need all hands on deck against a Timberwolves squad that’s rediscovered its defensive edge.