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UPDATE: Aug. 26, 12:35 p.m. — Porzingis is being listed as questionable for Game 6 vs. the Clippers on Thursday. He has missed the past two games due to a knee injury. The Mavericks got destroyed in Game 5 without Porzingis.
UPDATE: Aug. 25, 11:59 a.m. — Porzingis is being listed as out for Game 5 vs. the Clippers, per Marc Stein of The New York Times.
Dallas' Kristaps Porzingis (knee) has been listed as OUT for tonight's Game 5 against the Clippers
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) August 25, 2020
So it appears for now that Porzingis will be sidelined again for Game 5 on Tuesday night. We also know that Dorian Finney-Smith is questionable due to a hip injury. If both players are out, we should see a lot of Kleber and Boban Marjanovic in the front court. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could slide into more playing time at the 3 for DFS. I’d also expect more small lineups with THJ at SF and Doncic potentially at the 4 on Tuesday.
UPDATE: Aug. 24, 2:25 p.m. — Porzingis is questionable for Game 5 vs. the Clippers on Tuesday. Luka Doncic is listed as probable along with Trey Burke. Porzingis was held out of the Mavs’ MASSIVE Game 4 OT win on Sunday night. Burke ended up starting in his place, performing well.
Mavericks media notes for Game 5 list @kporzee as questionable with right knee soreness. Doncic and Burke (both with left ankle sprains) are listed as probable.
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) August 24, 2020
If Porzingis is out again, Doncic will be a chalky tournament play. His ceiling is insane after that 43-point triple-double in the OT win. Burke will also be popular if he stays in the starting lineup. Maxi Kleber is struggling too much to trust right now. Maybe a decent pivot in Game 5 would be to Tim Hardaway Jr. or Dorian Finney-Smith, who has been quiet this series. DFS is a decent rebounder and can fill up a stat sheet. Seth Curry should also be on the radar if Porzingis is out again. Porzingis is being called a game-time decision as well.
Status for Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis for Game 5: Game-time decision, undergoing treatment on sore right knee. MRI returned negative.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 24, 2020
Dallas Mavericks PF Kristaps Porzingis was a late scratch from the lineup for Game 4 vs. the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Point guard Trey Burke has replaced the big man in the starting lineup.
Porzingis will not play today due to right knee soreness.
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) August 23, 2020
Porzingis had a monster game against the Clippers on Friday and scored 34 points on 11-of-18 shooting with 13 rebounds. However, the lingering knee soreness he’s been dealing with since the beginning of the season appeared to be too much for him to play.
Maxi Kleber could see an extended run at center because of the extended scratch, but the lineup change could also help Boban Morjanovic see more of the court. Dorian Finney-Smith will need to make his presence known in the post with such a key post player out of commission.
Update: The Mavericks got a huge OT win over the Clippers 135-133 thanks to a Luka Doncic buzzer-beating 3-pointer. With Kristaps out, Burke ended up playing 37 minutes, finishing with 25 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field. Doncic was insane, though, finishing with 43 points, 17 rebounds and 13 assists in the win. Maxi Kleber couldn’t hit an outside shot, though he did finish with 9 boards and 7 points.