The Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings are set to clash in a high-stakes Play-In Tournament matchup, but both squads enter the do-or-die contest with injury concerns that could impact the outcome.
Dallas will be without Kyrie Irving, who remains sidelined following left knee surgery.
Olivier-Maxence Prosper is also ruled out due to right wrist surgery, further thinning the Mavericks’ bench.
Anthony Davis is listed as probable with a left adductor strain, and his availability will be crucial for Dallas in a must-win scenario.
Brandon Williams is questionable after suffering a left oblique strain and remains a game-time decision.
Sacramento will be without Malik Monk, who has been a significant scoring presence off the bench, due to a left calf strain.
Jake LaRavia is also out as he continues recovering from a left thumb scaphoid fracture.
The Kings hold the psychological edge, having swept the Mavericks 3-0 during the regular season, including a dominant 122-98 win in Dallas on March 3.
Sacramento enters the matchup as the 9-seed, one game ahead of the Mavericks, who secured the final Play-In spot in the West.
The winner of Friday night’s game will advance to face the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed, following Memphis’ loss to the Warriors on Tuesday.
Dallas ranks 10th in the Western Conference with a 39-43 record and has struggled defensively, allowing 115.4 points per game.
Sacramento finished 40-42 and nearly identical in scoring margin, giving up 115.3 points per contest while scoring 115.7.
