Another cruel twist of fate for Dallas’ backup guard.
Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum reportedly suffered a “serious” injury to his right wrist in training camp this week. Shams Charania of The Athletic had it first.
Shortly after the Shams grenade went off, Mavs PR put out a short injury update, which stated only that “Exum sustained a right wrist injury during training camp this week” and that he “will continue to be evaluated with updates provided as appropriate.”
There is no timetable for return at this early juncture for the Australian-born guard who emerged from NBA oblivion last summer as a free-agent flyer for the veteran minimum. Since winning Mavs fans over with his hustle and clutch shooting in his first year with the team, even cracking the starting lineup for a time, Exum has now sustained at least three separate injuries since January. He missed games with knee bursitis and a sprained plantar fascia throughout January and February, but this one sounds like a much bigger deal than either of the previous injuries.
Dallas Mavericks G Dante Exum has sustained a serious right wrist injury that could require surgery, sources tell @TheAthletic. Treatment options are being evaluated for Exum, who emerged as a key reserve guard on Mavs NBA Finals run last season. Tough early season blow for Mavs. pic.twitter.com/NZXqc0UET8
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 4, 2024
Charania also reported the injury “could require surgery,” compounding the sore feelings ringing out in concentric circles from its epicenter at Victory Plaza. Our boy can’t get a break. The hint of “surgery” sounds like the recovery window would likely be measured in months, not weeks, this time.
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that Mavericks guard Danté Exum sustained a right wrist injury during training camp this week.
Exum will continue to be evaluated with updates provided as appropriate.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) October 4, 2024
He ascended to fan-favorite status in early April when he hit a buzzer-beating game-tying 3-pointer at Houston to send the game into overtime, in what would shake out as a 147-136 Mavs win. Dallas had won 13 out of their last 15 at that point. Exum played in 55 games last year and averaged 7.8 points and 2.9 assists in just shy of 20 minutes per game.
If Exum is out for an extended period, Quentin Grimes and/or Jaden Hardy may see more minutes for the Mavs.
Exum’s injury comes just a couple days after the team announced that Luka Dončić suffered a calf contusion, but reports indicate that Luka’s injury won’t keep him out long enough to miss any regular season games. The Mavericks’ regular season starts on Oct. 24 against the San Antonio Spurs.