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Update: Brunson is available to return, although it remains to be seen how much the Mavericks push him with a big advantage at the break.
Jalen Brunson will be available to return to tonight’s Game 3 in Utah.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) April 22, 2022
The Dallas Mavericks could be without Jalen Brunson for the rest of Game 3 against the Utah Jazz after the guard suffered a back injury and left the game. Brunson has been a star with Luka Doncic, carrying the Mavericks to a Game 2 victory with a career-high 41 points.
Mavs lead the Jazz 68-51 at half — without Luka Doncic and with Jalen Brunson getting tossed in a washing machine.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) April 22, 2022
Anyone who says they saw this coming is also a liar.
Here’s video of the incident which sent Brunson to the locker room.
Royce O’Neale couldn’t guard Jalen Brunson so he takes a cheap shot at him. Brunson to the locker room pic.twitter.com/zfNPS4eQ8G
— Isaac Harris (@IsaacLHarris) April 22, 2022
The guard has 15 points, one assist and one rebound on 6-9 shooting as Dallas holds a 17-point halftime lead over Utah. Brunson is a key piece of the Mavericks’ rotation and if he cannot continue, it’ll be interesting to see if Dallas can hold this lead.
Look for Reggie Bullock, Dorian Finney-Smith and Trey Burke to take over in the backcourt if Brunson is limited or sits out the second half entirely. The Mavericks could take homecourt advantage back with a win in Game 3 Wednesday.