The Dallas Mavericks upgraded Klay Thompson to available ahead of Saturday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers, an unexpected shift after he was initially ruled out on the second night of a back-to-back due to left knee injury management. Thompson played 24 minutes in Friday’s 129–119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 10 points, two rebounds, and three assists, and was not expected to be cleared for both games.

Thompson has averaged 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists across 19 games this season. Over his last nine outings, he has averaged 13.4 points while shooting 37.2% from deep on 9.6 attempts per game. His availability provides Dallas with a needed impact while still dealing with one of the NBA’s most depleted rotations.

Thompson played in Friday’s 129–119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing with 10 points, but was initially ruled out for the second leg of the back-to-back due to left knee injury management. His upgrade to available on Saturday comes as a surprise and arrives while Dallas remains severely short-handed: Anthony Davis (left calf), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), Danté Exum (season-ending left knee injury), Dereck Lively II (right foot), and Daniel Gafford (right ankle) are all out. Cooper Flagg remains available while wearing a right thumb splint.

Dallas Mavericks Managing Heavy Frontcourt Absences

Davis will sit out on the second night of the back-to-back after playing 28 minutes Friday in his first appearance since Oct. 29. He finished with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks, calling the night an important step after a month-long ramp-up.

“Anytime you get extra time, obviously you let your body heal,” Davis said after the game. “I feel better now… you come back stronger.”

Jason Kidd said pre-game that Dallas planned for Davis to play only once this weekend.

“We’re looking at 24 to 27 minutes,” Kidd said. “This is his first game back. I just want a positive experience.”

The Mavericks are also without Lively, who was ruled out Nov. 25 with swelling and discomfort in his right foot and will miss the three-game road trip. A further update is expected in 7–10 days. Lively has averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in seven games.

Gafford, averaging 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks, has not played back-to-backs recently after multiple right ankle sprains dating back to training camp. His absence, paired with Davis and Lively, leaves Dallas thin at center again.

That places additional responsibility on Dwight Powell and two-way center Moussa Cissé. Cissé’s rim protection has been a bright spot during the stretch of absences.

“Moussa has been really good for us,” Kidd said. “His hustle, his effort… coming up with blocked shots and offensive rebounds — that spreads throughout the team.”

Flagg, who has averaged 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 19 games, continues to see extended usage while the frontcourt remains depleted.

Point Guard Rotation Tilting Toward Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams

With Irving and Exum ruled out, Dallas has leaned more heavily on Ryan Nembhard and Brandon Williams — a trend highlighted Friday when D’Angelo Russell logged a DNP-CD.

Nembhard, coming off his first career start, posted 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, two rebounds, and four assists while giving Dallas steady initiation and pace. Williams added 11 points, two rebounds, and three assists, and has averaged 10.9 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 18 games.

Kidd said earlier in the week that the team values how Naji Marshall and others have adapted to expanded ball-handling responsibilities, but the backcourt minutes have clearly shifted toward Nembhard and Williams in the short term.

Dallas enters Saturday at 5–15, hoping Thompson’s presence can steady a rotation that remains heavily impacted by injuries. The Mavericks close the Los Angeles back-to-back against the Clippers at Intuit Dome.

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