The Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers are set to meet at the Clippers’ home court on Tuesday, April 7 with multiple key players listed on the injury report for both teams. The matchup, tipping off at 10:30 PM ET, comes with playoff implications as the Clippers aim to maintain their play-in positioning while the Mavericks are already eliminated from postseason contention.
Dallas faces significant absences with Kyrie Irving (left knee, surgery) and Dereck Lively II (right foot, surgery) confirmed out. Daniel Gafford (right shoulder) and Caleb Martin (right plantar fascia) are listed as doubtful, while Marvin Bagley III (left shoulder) and Brandon Williams (illness) are questionable. Moussa Cisse, John Poulakidas, and Tyler Smith are probable to play.
For Los Angeles, the Clippers are missing Bradley Beal (left hip fracture), Isaiah Jackson (right ankle sprain), and Yanic Konan Niederhauser (right Lisfranc ligament tear).
This season, Dallas has leaned heavily on Cooper Flagg, averaging 21.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game, with P.J. Washington contributing 14.2 points and 7.0 rebounds. Naji Marshall adds 15.4 points per game, while Max Christie shoots 40.4% from three, providing perimeter spacing.
The Clippers rely on Kawhi Leonard, who averages 28.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. Bennedict Mathurin and Darius Garland add 18.8 and 20.3 points respectively, though Garland has played only 16 games this season. John Collins provides interior scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per game.
Dallas enters the game coming off a 134-128 home win over the Lakers, snapping a two-game stretch that included a loss to the Orlando Magic.
Los Angeles also won its last game, defeating the Sacramento Kings 138-109, after a 99-118 loss to the Spurs.
Previous matchups this season have been competitive: the Clippers won 133-127 in double overtime on November 14, the Mavericks took a 114-110 road win on November 29, and the Clippers claimed a 138-131 overtime victory on March 21.
