Game 14: Dallas Mavericks (6-7) vs. Oklahoma City Thunder (11-2) | 6:00pm CST

[SleepingHero]

[SleepingHero]

@TheSteinLine
Dallas’ Luka Dončić is expected to miss tonight's game at Oklahoma City, sources tell
@TheSteinLine and @DLLS_Sports.

Dončić, listed much of the week with a right knee contusion, conceded late Saturday that he's a "little bit less" than 100%.

More NBA: http://marcstein.substack.com

[KillerLeft]

@TheSteinLine
Dallas’ Luka Dončić is expected to miss tonight's game at Oklahoma City, sources tell
@TheSteinLine and @DLLS_Sports.

Dončić, listed much of the week with a right knee contusion, conceded late Saturday that he's a "little bit less" than 100%.

More NBA: http://marcstein.substack.com

Hmmm....

I can't decide if I'd have preferred he missed the SA game or this one. On one hand, it's very unlikely they can compete with OKC without him, but on the other hand, there's a chance they'd have lost BOTH games if he'd missed last night. 

Other than quibbling with the order of operations here, I'm fine with the idea of he and/or Kyrie skipping out on a few back-to-backs. It feels like they've had a lot of them, so far.

[MarkAguirreWrathofGod]

Hmmm....

I can't decide if I'd have preferred he missed the SA game or this one. On one hand, it's very unlikely they can compete with OKC without him, but on the other hand, there's a chance they'd have lost BOTH games if he'd missed last night. 

Other than quibbling with the order of operations here, I'm fine with the idea of he and/or Kyrie skipping out on a few back-to-backs. It feels like they've had a lot of them, so far.

I think this will be their third set of b2b already.

[SleepingHero]

Hmmm....

I can't decide if I'd have preferred he missed the SA game or this one. On one hand, it's very unlikely they can compete with OKC without him, but on the other hand, there's a chance they'd have lost BOTH games if he'd missed last night. 

Other than quibbling with the order of operations here, I'm fine with the idea of he and/or Kyrie skipping out on a few back-to-backs. It feels like they've had a lot of them, so far.

It's weird. Given how poorly Luka has looked this season, it's the first time that I think it's good he sits out till he gets right.


I don't think there's a realistic shot they can win without him, but I'd rather Luka get right and we sack a couple of games than keep running him down. This early season schedule has been BRUTAL.

[Knutsen]

OKC is playing without any big men, all three of them are injured. Caruso is also out. It‘ll be an interesting game if we dominate inside and on the boards on both sides. On defense it should help a lot against these particular OKC line-ups because we‘re much more switchable and perimeter-oriented without slow man Luka.

[Smitty]

No Luka, no problem. I’m guaranteeing a Mavs win!

[Mavs2021]

No Luka, no problem. I’m guaranteeing a Mavs win!

It certainly makes the game more interesting to see the new guys express themselves at what I assume will be a much faster pace.

[KillerLeft]

It certainly makes the game more interesting to see the new guys express themselves at what I assume will be a much faster pace.

For sure. If both centers have the legs to run tonight, maybe they have a chance.

[Mavs2021]

Let´s see how this starting line-up and 1st quarter work out. Maybe we can send Luka to the bench, so he can finally win an award.

[Mavs2021]

It was premature to bench Luka. What you think we can get in trade?

[SleepingHero]

I really like Grimes in the lineup tonight to guard Shai

[Mavs2021]

Injured Luka is clearly a problem right now. This has been the best start to a game offensively. Generate open looks on every possession through ball movement.

[SleepingHero]

PJ has been a revelation sheesh. 11 quick points

[SleepingHero]

I am loving it so far. Pound the paint. Draw the fouls. OKC has no answer but to foul.

Hardy has made some great passes. Kyrie has been amazing thus far.

[Mavs2021]

Haha Kyrie with the did you just do that to Hardy.

Oh and if Luka ever wants to win an MVP, he´ll need to get in shape, cause SGA is the ultimate pro and will set the bar at 55+ wins every year. Guy is automatic from mid-range. What a disaster that trade has already been for the Clippers.

[SleepingHero]

Shai gets the softest whistle in the league.

[Mavs2021]

Keys to championship: Get Luka right physically, fall in line mentally and find another undervalued player like PJ Washington with the Kleber contract.

[SleepingHero]

You can really tell Kidd told these guys to pound this paint and it has worked. Mavs have attacked over and over.

Great drive by Grimes.

[SleepingHero]

Highest scoring first quarter of the year thus far.