As teams battle for playoff positioning, the NBA season has entered a crucial phase. Some franchises have solidified themselves as contenders, while others—like the Dallas Mavericks—are fighting to avoid the play-in tournament.
Dallas has been hit hard by injuries, but with the regular season nearing its end, excuses are running out. March 6 will be a pivotal date, as fans will finally get clarity on when Dereck Lively II, Anthony Davis, and Daniel Gafford might return.
With multiple injuries depleting their frontcourt, the Mavericks were forced to adjust, signing former first-round pick Kai Jones to a two-way contract. But beyond roster changes, Dallas’ injury struggles have left them in a precarious position in the Western Conference standings.
Mavericks’ Playoff Hopes Are Hanging by a Thread
In a recent Bleacher Report article, “1 Word to Describe Every NBA Team Right Now,” Eric Pincus summed up Dallas’ situation with a single word: “Tenuous.” The term, which describes something weak or uncertain, perfectly captures the Mavericks’ current predicament.
Injuries are an unavoidable part of professional sports, but they have significantly impacted Dallas’ depth. Despite surrounding Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving with key role players in the offseason, the team’s lack of frontcourt options has become a major concern.
The addition of Kai Jones provided a temporary fix, but as the playoffs approach, Dallas’ situation has only become more desperate. Labeling them as “tenuous” is fair, considering how much of their potential success depends on Anthony Davis returning to the lineup.
Davis’ presence would ease the burden on Irving offensively while also restoring much-needed shot-blocking in the paint. Alongside Davis, Lively II and Gafford would bring the interior defense Dallas has been lacking in recent weeks.
Even if all three return healthy before the end of the season, the Mavericks’ playoff spot is far from secure. Staying healthy is just one challenge—competing at the highest level in a loaded Western Conference is another.
As of Monday morning, Dallas holds the 10th seed and trails the LA Clippers by just half a game for the sixth spot. To avoid the play-in tournament, the Mavericks must maintain an aggressive push in the final stretch of the season.
A lot needs to go right for Dallas to reach their full potential, starting with getting key players back on the floor. Even then, securing a playoff berth won’t be easy. However, history has shown that the Mavericks are capable of making strong late-season runs to improve their postseason positioning.
With just over a month left, the pressure is on. The uncertainty surrounding the team means one thing is clear—staying healthy may be Dallas’ only real hope of avoiding the play-in. If they don’t finish strong, missing the playoffs entirely is a real possibility, and that reality is closer than many might think.
