Two days after a fourth-quarter collapse in Mexico City, the Dallas Mavericks will again be short-handed as they close their two-game road trip Monday night against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center.
The Mavericks appeared poised for their first road win of the season on Saturday before their offense stalled and their interior defense unraveled in a 122–110 loss to the Detroit Pistons. Dallas was outscored 35–17 in the final quarter and 72–26 in the paint despite hitting a season-high 16 three-pointers.
Jalen Duren powered Detroit with a career-high 33 points and 11 rebounds, while Cade Cunningham added 21 points and 18 assists. D’Angelo Russell led Dallas with 31 points off the bench, and rookie Cooper Flagg contributed 16 points, eight rebounds, and four assists.
“We put ourselves in position to win that game for three quarters,” head coach Jason Kidd said afterward. “Unfortunately, in the fourth, they dominated the paint, got the turnovers, and capitalized off them. We have to be better.”
Now, Dallas faces Houston still without several key contributors. The team confirmed that Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), and Danté Exum (right knee injury management) are all out for Monday’s matchup.
Anthony Davis Still “Day to Day” With Calf Strain
Anthony Davis will miss his third straight game after suffering a low-grade left calf strain in the first quarter of last Wednesday’s win over the Indiana Pacers. He played just seven minutes before exiting and has not returned since.
Kidd said the team continues to view Davis as “day-to-day” and plans to re-evaluate him later this week once the Mavericks return to Dallas. Davis, 32, traveled with the team and has participated in light on-court work during the trip.
“It is going to be day to day,” Davis said before the Mexico City game. “But I feel better, that is for sure.”
Through five games, Davis has averaged 20.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists while anchoring Dallas’ interior defense.
Dereck Lively II Remains Out, Did Not Travel to Mexico City
Dereck Lively II will miss his fourth consecutive game with a right knee sprain. The 20-year-old center did not travel with the team to Mexico City, and the Mavericks have not disclosed the severity of his injury or a return timetable.
Lively’s continued absence, combined with Davis’ injury, leaves Dallas without two of its main frontcourt anchors. In three games this season, he’s averaged 5.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists.
Kyrie Irving and Danté Exum Still Working Back
Kyrie Irving remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from ACL surgery performed in March. Kidd recently said the organization hopes to have him back “in the year of ’25 — not ’26,” but there is no set timeline.
Danté Exum will also miss Monday’s game as he continues right knee injury management. He has yet to make his season debut after battling lingering knee issues last year.
Daniel Gafford on Minutes Restriction in Return
Daniel Gafford provided a much-needed lift in Mexico City, returning from a right ankle sprain to play his first game of the season. The 27-year-old center posted seven points and four rebounds in 17 minutes off the bench.
Gafford was on a 15–18 minute restriction, and it will be important to watch whether that limit increases in Houston. His rim protection and energy helped stabilize the Mavericks early before fatigue and frontcourt depth issues took over late.
“When you talk about A.D., he’s one of the best players in the world,” Kidd said. “He couldn’t play, so we’ve got to have other guys pick up the load. Hopefully A.D.’s back sooner than later, but if he’s out, guys have to continue to find ways to win.”
Dallas (2–4) will try to salvage the road trip with a win in Houston before returning home for Davis’ follow-up evaluation later this week.
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