The Dallas Mavericks had plenty to process following Saturday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. While they’ve struggled in the standings this season, the team has looked completely different since Luka Doncic’s absence. To make matters worse, head coach Jason Kidd delivered a concerning injury update regarding one of Klay Thompson’s key teammates.
Despite the efforts of Kyrie Irving and Thompson, the Mavericks continue to struggle defensively. Their loss to the Bucks reignited concerns about the team’s playoff hopes and championship aspirations.
Beyond their on-court struggles, injuries have become another major issue for Kidd’s squad. Former Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis has played only a handful of games since joining the team and is now out indefinitely due to an injury. Adding to the woes, Thompson’s teammate P.J. Washington exited Saturday’s game after logging just 15 minutes.
After the game, Kidd provided little detail on Washington’s status but confirmed that the issue is ankle-related. Mavericks insider Joey Mistretta later reported on X that Washington is dealing with soreness, though Kidd did not offer further specifics.
PJ Washington #25 of the Dallas Mavericks puts up a shot in front of Aaron Wiggins #21 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second half at Paycom Center on November 17, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Kidd provides another injury update
With medical evaluations still pending, along with the official review from the Mavericks’ medical staff, head coach Kidd took a moment to discuss another player on the injury report. Forward Caleb Martin, who has missed significant time in 2025 due to a hip injury, is expected to return sooner than initially anticipated.
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“He’s doing extremely well, and there are a lot of positive things surrounding his recovery right now,” Kidd told reporters. “He’s trending in the right direction, and hopefully, in the next couple of days, we’ll have some superb news.”
Kidd added that Martin has made steady progress in his rehab without any setbacks. “His rehab sessions have been going really well, and hopefully, he’s back sooner rather than later,” Kidd said. “He’s been participating in five-on-five drills, and we’re closely monitoring how he responds after playing.”
Kidd addresses Mavericks’ recent struggles
While injuries have undoubtedly impacted the Mavericks this season, Kidd acknowledged that the team’s recent struggles go beyond just missing key players. One of the biggest concerns has been their poor three-point shooting.
“There are a couple of guys who aren’t shooting the ball well right now,” Kidd said. “We just have to keep working and take those shots when they present themselves. We shot 27 percent from three tonight… We got 40 attempts up but just didn’t convert when we had the opportunity.”
