The Dallas Mavericks will face the Houston Rockets on Monday at 8:00 PM ET at the Toyota Center. Both teams enter the matchup with multiple key players sidelined.
Dallas will be without Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Dante Exum (right knee injury management), Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery), and Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain).
These absences leave the Mavericks relying on D’Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson, and P.J. Washington to carry the offensive load. Russell has averaged 14.2 points and five assists per game this season, while Washington is contributing 13.7 points and 7.7 rebounds per contest.
Houston’s injury situation is similarly challenging. Fred VanVleet (right knee ACL repair), Dorian Finney-Smith (left ankle surgery), and Isaiah Crawford (two-way assignment) will miss the game. Jabari Smith Jr. is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain.
Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun are expected to lead the Rockets, with Durant posting 27.2 points per game and Sengun adding 22.2 points and 8.4 assists per contest.
The Mavericks have struggled early in the season, holding a 2-4 record, including a recent 110-122 loss to Detroit on November 1. Injuries have forced Dallas to adjust rotations and rely heavily on its backcourt, including Russell and Brandon Williams. The team has averaged 108.2 points per game while conceding 114.3, highlighting defensive gaps exacerbated by missing starters.
Houston comes into Monday’s game with a 3-2 record after defeating Boston 128-101. Durant continues to anchor the offense, while Steven Adams provides stability in the paint with consistent rebounding.
