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UPDATE: Jan. 9, 1:34 p.m. — Porzingis is eyeing a return next week, coach Rick Carlisle told reporters Thursday.
Carlisle just said Kristaps Porzingis could possibly play next Tuesday against Golden State or next Wednesday against Sacramento. But he won't play tomorrow against the Lakers or Saturday against the Sixers, because he's still dealing with soreness in his right knee. #Mavs @NBA
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) January 9, 2020
Porzingis will remain out the next two games due to his ankle injury. The Mavericks have struggled to a 2-3 record without Porzingis in the lineup and would welcome the big man back. When he does return, Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber and Dorian Finney-Smith all take a hit.
UPDATE: Porzingis is being listed as out for Saturday’s game vs. the Charlotte Hornets. This isn’t all that surprising since Carlisle said there’s not timeline for Kristaps to return to the lineup. With Porzingis still out, Luka Doncic will remain an elite DFS option on most nights. Dwight Powell, Maxi Kleber and Boban Marjanovic will pick up the slack in the frontcourt.
UPDATE: Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle told reporters prior to Thursday night’s game that Porzingis has no timetable for a return from his knee injury.
Carlisle said there is no timetable for the return of Porzingis (soreness in his right knee) and Hardaway (left hamstring strain). But he added that they will take their time on playing those 2 players again.
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) January 2, 2020
UPDATE: Porzingis is listed as out for Thursday’s game on the 1:30 p.m. NBA Injury Report. Luka Doncic is listed as probable with a thigh injury. THJ is also listed as out again, so nothing new there.
With no Porzingis again, Doncic is an elite play in all formats on DraftKings at $12,000. The high price and injury list shouldn’t scare you off of Luka tonight. I also think Jalen Brunson, Seth Curry and J.J. Barea will get some more run with Hardaway out again.
Dallas Mavericks PF Kristaps Porzingis is questionable to play in Thursday night’s game vs. the Brooklyn Nets. Tim Hardaway Jr. is listed as out again. If you’re reading this you’re probably upset because Porzingis was a late scratch from Tuesday night’s game due to knee soreness. We had no idea this was coming and that’s how things go down sometimes in the NBA. The injury is a bit concerning considering Porzingis did tear his ACL while with the New York Knicks. Hopefully he’ll be able to get back in the lineup soon.
Fantasy Basketball Analysis: Dallas Mavericks PF Kristaps Porzingis
With Porzingis out of the lineup Tuesday, the Mavs struggled in a 106-101 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Luka Doncic had 35 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists but he wasn’t able to go hero ball and lift the Mavs to a win. Still, this is fantasy we’re concerned about. Doncic will continue to be an elite play on all nights, but without Porzingis to take shots away, Luka is a very chalky option. Maxi Kleber is also chalk depending on his price. He started in place of Porzingis and posted a big 14 points and 14 rebounds in 35 minutes. Dwight Powell should see more run on offense and even Boban Marjanovic should see touches off the bench (he better).