The Dallas Mavericks and Orlando Magic enter Thursday night’s matchup with multiple injuries affecting both rotations ahead of their game at the Kia Center in Orlando.
Dallas will be without star guard Kyrie Irving, who remains out following left knee surgery, while rookie forward Cooper Flagg is listed as questionable with a left midfoot sprain. The Mavericks are 21–40 and have dropped four straight games entering the contest.
Flagg has been Dallas’ primary offensive option this season, averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 49 starts.
Dereck Lively II is also out after right foot surgery, leaving Dallas thin in the frontcourt. Marvin Bagley III is sidelined with a neck sprain, further reducing depth behind starting center Daniel Gafford.
Dallas may receive partial reinforcements on the wing, as Klay Thompson is listed as probable with a right adductor contusion. The 35-year-old is averaging 11.5 points and shooting 37.8% from three-point range this season.
Forward Naji Marshall is also probable despite a right finger contusion. Marshall has played a significant role in the Mavericks’ rotation, averaging 15.4 points and 4.9 rebounds in 58 games.
Backup guard Brandon Williams remains questionable with a left quadriceps contusion. Williams has contributed 13.1 points and 3.8 assists per game while appearing in 53 contests.
Dallas’ injury list also includes several two-way players. Centers Moussa Cisse and Tyler Smith, along with guard John Poulakidas, are listed as doubtful due to G League assignments.
The Orlando Magic enter the game with a 32–28 record and currently sit seventh in the Eastern Conference standings. Orlando won its most recent game 126–109 against the Washington Wizards after a 92–106 loss to Detroit two nights earlier.
Orlando will be without forward Franz Wagner, who is out due to injury management related to a left high ankle sprain. Wagner has averaged 21.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 28 games this season.
Paolo Banchero leads the Magic offense, averaging 22.1 points, 8.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists while starting all 50 games. Guard Desmond Bane is the team’s second-leading scorer at 20.4 points per game while shooting 39.4% from beyond the arc.
Several Magic players are listed as questionable. Guard Anthony Black is dealing with a right quadriceps contusion, center Wendell Carter Jr. has left ankle soreness, and forward Jonathan Isaac is managing left knee soreness.
Black has started 38 games this season and is averaging 15.7 points and 3.9 assists, making his status notable for Orlando’s backcourt depth.
Thursday’s game marks the first meeting between the Mavericks and Magic during the 2025–26 NBA season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at the Kia Center in Orlando.
