Hoops Rumors

The game is more difficult for the Mavericks with Luka Doncic sidelined, but they’re finding ways to win without their injured star, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal (subscription required). Daniel Gafford played an important role Friday night with 13 points, six rebounds and three steals as Dallas kept its hopes of advancing in the NBA Cup alive with a victory at … [Read more...] about Southwest Notes: Gafford, Popovich, A. Holiday, Morant

After a late-game defensive breakdown resulted in a frustrating two-point loss in Utah last Thursday, the Mavericks immediately watched film and held a post-game meeting, with “accountability, effort and unselfishness” among the themes, writes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “We talked about a lot of things, and got a lot of things out in the open,” Mavericks forward … [Read more...] about Southwest Notes: Mavs, Marshall, Spurs, Pelicans, McCollum

Even though he holds a player option for next season, it’s unlikely Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will test the free agent market, Tim MacMahon of ESPN said on the latest edition of the Hoops Collective podcast (hat tip to RealGM). MacMahon expects the two sides to reach a long-term agreement that will keep Irving in Dallas. “He has a $42MM player option,” MacMahon said. “Look, … [Read more...] about Mavericks Notes: Irving, Thompson, Doncic’s Injury, NBA Cup

10:06am: Doncic underwent an MRI which revealed a right wrist sprain, the team’s PR department tweets. 9:37am: Add Luka Doncic to the list of superstar players missing multiple games this season due to an injury. Doncic is dealing with a right wrist injury and will be reevaluated in a week, Marc Stein reports (Twitter link). The Mavericks guard was wearing a wrap around his … [Read more...] about Doncic Has Wrist Injury, Out At Least One Week

There’s optimism that Kevin Durant will be able to return from his left calf strain at some point next week, according to Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter video link), who suggests the Suns star could be back on the court as soon as Tuesday for an NBA Cup matchup with the Lakers. There’s also optimism that Bradley Beal, who is dealing with a left calf strain of his own, will be … [Read more...] about Western Notes: Durant, Beal, Rockets, Giannis, Marshall, Pelicans