Livey downgraded to doubtful with a shoulder injury, Washington out with knee sprain
The Dallas Mavericks will likely be without two key contributors Wednesday night against the Chicago Bulls. Wednesday morning’s injury report for the matchup against the Bulls lists center Dereck Lively doubtful with his shoulder injury, and forward PJ Washington as out with a right knee sprain.
Lively injured his shoulder during warmups before Monday’s game against the Indiana Pacers. Coach Jason Kidd said Lively would get an MRI on his shoulder and ESPN’s Tim MacMahon said sources told him the team has “expressed optimism that it isn’t a significant injury.” Lively was initially listed as questionable in earlier injury reports for this game.
It is unclear when Washington’s injury occurred, as he played 35 minutes Monday night against the Pacers and finished the game, without needing to be taken out of the game or take an early exit to the locker.
Without Lively and Washington, more will fall to starter Daniel Gafford and the rest of the Mavericks bench stepping up. Gafford struggled against the Pacers, but should be more comfortable against Chicago’s more traditional lineups, although the Bulls are shooting more threes than previous seasons. Naji Marshall will likely replace Washington in the starting lineup, especially after his spectacular 20-point, five-rebound, six-assist performance against Indiana on Monday.
The biggest questions the Mavericks will need to answer is who steps up behind Gafford and Marshall. Dwight Powell is currently the only other big on the main roster, and Dallas will need to mix and match Powell, Marshall, and other bench pieces like Quintin Grimes to keep things afloat while Lively and Washington are out.
The rest of the report is unsurprising, as Maxi Kleber is still out with his hamstring injury, and Dante Exum still recovering from his wrist surgery. Dallas tips off at home against Chicago at 7:30 p.m.