The Dallas Mavericks are gearing up for a rematch against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, but they might have to do it without veteran Klay Thompson. Thompson is currently listed as doubtful on the injury report, joining center Daniel Gafford, who is battling an illness. Caleb Martin, however, is likely to suit up, marked as probable for the game.
The Mavericks are coming off a tough stretch, losing nine of their last ten games. In their recent 138-105 defeat to the Cavs, rookie sensation Cooper Flagg made headlines by surpassing Kobe Bryant’s record for the most 20+ point games by a teenager, notching his 25th such performance. However, Flagg is expected to miss the upcoming clash on the road.
Thompson had a mixed outing against the Cavs, finishing with six points on 3-for-11 shooting after a solid 21-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks. This season, he’s averaging 11.8 points with a shooting percentage of 39.2%, including 38% from beyond the arc, along with 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
On the other side, the Cavs, led by All-Star Donovan Mitchell, are aiming to secure back-to-back victories for the first time since their impressive seven-game win streak in February.
Here’s a quick look at the Mavericks’ injury list:
- Daniel Gafford - Doubtful (Illness)
- Kyrie Irving - Out (Left knee surgery)
- Dereck Lively II - Out (Right foot surgery)
- Caleb Martin - Probable (Left finger sprain)
- Klay Thompson - Doubtful (Rest)
- PJ Washington - Out (Left ankle soreness)
For the Cavs, notable absences include:
- Jarrett Allen - Out (Right knee tendonitis)
- Sam Merrill - Out (Left hamstring tightness)
- **Craig Porter Jr. ** - Out (Left groin strain)
With both teams dealing with significant injuries, Sunday’s game promises to be a test of depth and resilience. The Mavericks will need to dig deep to overcome their recent slump, while the Cavs will look to capitalize on their momentum.