The playoff race in the Western Conference is heating up, and if someone has to prove a point, it has to be the Dallas Mavericks. After much trade drama of Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic exchange, the Mavs had to give their all in the last leg. They currently occupy the precious 10th seed in the West which would see them be the last team to enter this season’s play-in tournament. However, there are still eight games to play in the regular season for Dallas, with Phoenix just a game behind them. So, any slip-up at this point could prove to be the last nail in the coffin for the Mavericks. Keeping this in mind, they are heading to the United Center to lock horns with the Chicago Bulls.
The Mavericks’ opponents tonight are in red-hot form riding a four-game winning streak! Coby White has been in spectacular scoring form and leading the Bulls’ offense. So, containing him will surely be a task for Dallas. This means they’ll require their newly acquired player, Anthony Davis, to play tonight. AD has recently returned from a long absence and still isn’t a hundred percent. But the stakes are pretty high tonight, and to have a shot at victory, Davis will be crucial. However, can the 31-year-old suit up against Chicago?
Dallas Mavericks injury report ahead of a crucial clash at the United Center
If you have been following the Mavericks, you must be aware of the injury struggles they’ve been facing throughout the season. After a long wait, they finally received some good news when Anthony Davis returned to the hardwood. Davis put up a respectable 15 points and 7 rebounds against the Magic in their recent win on the road. Well, the 31-year-old is still finding his footing post-injury. So, will be play tonight against the Bulls? Unfortunately, AD is on the injury report once again. He is listed as questionable for tonight due to a left adductor injury. While this might not be great news, there’s still a chance he might suit up for the game.
That’s because he was listed as probable even before the Orlando matchup, before being made available. Will that be the case tonight? Only time will tell. Nonetheless, having Anthony Davis on the court will be a massive boost for Dallas as they are in massive need to win games right now! However, AD’s injury isn’t the only worry for the Mavericks. They have a lot to worry about. Most importantly, Dallas will be without Dereck Lively II. The Mavericks’ center is doubtful for tonight’s game due to an ankle injury. Lively II is a key player for the Mavericks, unfortunately, he has missed several games due to injury this season. However, whenever he plays, the team looks much better.
Mar 24, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) dribbles up court during the second half against the Brooklyn Nets at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Moreover, the 21-year-old is averaging 9.1 points and 7.8 rebounds so far this season. That’s a pretty solid stat line! Joining Lively II on the report is Daniel Gafford. He’s another center who’s questionable for the matchup due to a knee injury. Dallas would hope that either of their two big men is fit to play tonight to provide them with options to stop Coby White. Another notable absence could be P.J. Washington. The 26-year-old forward might play against Chicago tonight. He has been struggling with an ankle sprain and has missed back-to-back games due to the same. Do their struggles end here? Absolutely Not. rotational forward Kai Jones is also doubtful for the clash after suffering a hip injury.
Another player struggling with a hip injury is Caleb Martin. The small forward is listed day-to-day for Saturday’s matchup. At this point, it’s easier to name the healthy players on the roster! The misery continues as Brandon Williams is hit with a back injury. The combo guard could miss the game for the same reason. Joining this long list of doubtful players are those who are pretty much done for the 2024-25 season. Mavericks guard Dante Exum is one of them. The 29-year-old has suffered a devastating fracture in his left hand and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. Alongside him are Olivier-Maxence Prosper and Kyrie Irving. Prosper is done and dusted for the season after undergoing surgery on his right wrist. On the other hand, Irving is dealing with a painful ACL tear.
This makes you think, how will they start such a crucial game with almost the entire roster injured or doubtful?
How can the Mavericks line up with several injuries?
The Dallas Mavericks are entering a critical time in their regular season. Any game they lose could be the end of their playoff dream. Keeping that in mind, winning every game is a must, and by the looks of their injury report, they are going to have a tough time doing so. So, HC Jason Kidd will have to come up with a plan to overcome the Bulls tonight. The Bulls are flying high right now, and it won’t be an easy task for Dallas at any cost, so they’ll have to play a great game tonight!
Here’s how the Mavericks could line up:
Position
Starter
PG
Spencer Dinwiddie
SG
Klay Thompson
SF
P.J. Washington (probable)
PF
Anthony Davis (probable)
C
Kai Jones (probable)
Overall, this is going to be an uphill battle for Dallas. The duo of Coby White and Josh Giddey is playing some great basketball right now! They will be hard to contain, especially if Anthony Davis doesn’t play. Nonetheless, the Mavericks are in dire need of wins and will be hungry tonight. Moreover, they have a point to prove, so who knows? They might just grab a win.
The post Will Anthony Davis Play Tonight vs Bulls? Mavericks Injury Report Amid Playoff Push appeared first on EssentiallySports.
