The Mavericks are heading into Thursday night with a much cleaner injury picture than they’ve had at other points this season, and that matters with Minnesota up next.
Dallas got a couple of days to breathe after back-to-back wins over the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday and the Indiana Pacers on Monday, but the schedule is about to tighten up again. The Timberwolves are first on the list, and the Mavericks will have three games in the next four days as they try to keep a strong start rolling. At 7-4, they’ve put themselves in a spot that’s a little better than expected this early in the season.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is still dangerous even without Anthony Edwards. Edwards has played only four games this season before knee surgery was deemed necessary, and the Timberwolves have still gone 5-2 without him, including a notable win over the Houston Rockets.
Dallas will have one of its rookies back in the mix if all goes as expected. Morez Johnson Jr., the No. 9 overall pick, has been dealing with shin splints all season, and that issue kept him out of the second game of the back-to-back against Indiana on Monday. He has now been upgraded to probable for Thursday’s matchup.
If Johnson is able to go, the frontcourt decisions will be worth watching against Rudy Gobert. Dusty May has a few ways to handle that matchup, including leaning more on Santi Aldama to pull Gobert away from the rim or using Johnson more for his defensive hands.
The rest of the report is relatively short by season standards.
Caleb Martin is available despite a right thumb sprain, and he’s been starting lately while giving Dallas value with his point-of-attack defense and steady play on offense.
Rookie guard Sergio De Larrea is still sidelined with a right knee sprain. May has said more than once that De Larrea is close, but the Mavericks have been careful with injuries under this new training staff.
Dereck Lively II remains out as he continues recovering from foot surgery he had 11 months ago, and there is still no timetable for his return.
Tarik Biberovic has not yet made his debut because of right heel bursitis, and he remains out.
On Minnesota’s side, Donte DiVincenzo is the only other player listed out besides Edwards. He tore his right Achilles in the playoffs last year, and the team believes he could return later in the season.
Backup center Joan Beringer is available even though he has been wearing a facemask in recent games because of a nasal fracture.
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