Mavericks Just Got Another Backcourt Concern They Could Not Afford

Mavericks face deeper backcourt challenges as Max Christie's early exit against the Kings adds to their injury woes.

The Dallas Mavericks took another hit Monday night when starting guard Max Christie left the game against the Sacramento Kings with a right hip injury and did not return.

Christie was on the floor for about eight minutes at American Airlines Center before exiting. He went 0-for-5 from the field, with all five attempts coming from 3-point range, and finished with two rebounds, one steal and one turnover.

Dallas opened the third quarter with Walter Clayton Jr. in Christie’s spot. Marcus Sasser could also be in line for more minutes as coach Dusty May works through the rotation.

The injury only added to a backcourt that was already stretched thin. Kyrie Irving was out because of left knee injury management, while Dereck Lively II was unavailable after right foot surgery and Santi Aldama was also sidelined following right knee surgery.

The status update came from The Smoking Cuban’s Noah Weber on X, formerly Twitter, who wrote: “Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Max Christie will not return to tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings due to a right hip injury.”

Christie entered the night shooting 31.3% from 3-point range on 5.3 attempts per game, and the early exit cut short another chance to settle in alongside Cooper Flagg.

The 23-year-old arrived in Dallas in the blockbuster February 2025 trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. He had also missed time earlier this season with a right shin contusion.

Weber’s report ruled Christie out for the rest of the game but did not include a timetable for his recovery. The Kings were ahead 109-93 with 2:40 left in the fourth quarter.

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