DHJ Quick Take<\/p>\n
Gafford Avoids Injury Report: In a major boost for the frontcourt, Daniel Gafford is not expected to be listed on the injury report for Friday\u2019s game against Orlando, despite a scary exit in Milwaukee with a shoulder stinger.<\/p>\n
Marshall Returns, Washington Sidelined: Defensive standout Naji Marshall (15.5 PPG) is back from illness, though the Mavericks will still be without leading rebounder P.J. Washington (7.1 RPG), who remains out.<\/p>\n
Bagley\u2019s Spark: After a monster 26-point performance in the win over Portland, Marvin Bagley III participated in Thursday\u2019s session and looks ready to anchor the paint alongside Gafford.<\/p>\n
DALLAS \u2014 The Dallas Mavericks<\/a> held a shooting and lifting session Thursday morning at the BioSteel Practice Center. While the session was lighter than a full practice, it provided updates on a roster decimated by illness and injury over the final stretch of the season.<\/p>\n Naji Marshall<\/a>, who has missed the last two contests due to illness, was back on the court and is expected to be available for Friday\u2019s home game against the Orlando Magic. The forward is averaging 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists across 71 games this season. However, P.J. Washington<\/a> remained sidelined with a similar illness and did not participate. Washington leads the team in rebounding at 7.1 per game while averaging 14.1 points across 52 starts. <\/p>\n Caleb Martin<\/a>, who has missed the last eight games with a right plantar fascia strain, did some work Thursday. Marvin Bagley III<\/a> participated despite his left shoulder impingement. Bagley is averaging 10.6 points and 7.1 rebounds in 18 games since joining Dallas and was last seen posting a season-high 26 points on 11-of-14 shooting to go along with 9 rebounds in the March 27 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. <\/p>\n The most significant news involves Daniel Gafford<\/a>, who is not set to be listed on the injury report after exiting Tuesday\u2019s 123-99 loss in Milwaukee. He was unable to finish the game after heading to the locker room with 2:52 left in the second quarter after suffering a right shoulder stinger. <\/p>\n Jason Kidd on Daniel Gafford: \u2018That Means That He\u2019s Hurt\u2019<\/p>\n Head coach Jason Kidd<\/a> didn\u2019t mince words following the injury in Milwaukee.<\/p>\n \u201cHe didn\u2019t come back, so that means that he\u2019s hurt,\u201d Kidd said Tuesday night.<\/p>\n Gafford\u2019s absence would leave a massive void in the interior, especially with Dereck Lively II<\/a> and Kyrie Irving<\/a> already ruled out. Bagley (left shoulder impingement) participated on Thursday after missing the previous two games.<\/p>\n