Mavericks guard Dante Exum is now listed as doubtful for the team’s game against the Pelicans on Wednesday, as reported by Eddie Sefko of Mavs.com. This marks the first time this season that Exum hasn’t been listed as out. Exum had surgery on his right wrist in October, with expectations that he would be out for three months, a timeline he has already surpassed.
The 6’5″ guard signed a two-year contract with the Mavericks during the 2023 offseason and had a consistent role with the Western Conference champions last season, averaging 7.8 PPG and 2.9 APG with a .533/.491/.779 shooting line and solid defense in 55 games (19.8 MPG).
The game in New Orleans will kick off the longest road trip of the season, a five-game, 10-day journey, according to Sefko. This stretch could play a significant role in determining whether the Mavericks finish in the top six in the West or end up fighting for a play-in tournament spot. They will also travel to Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, and Boston during the trip.
After a few games with single-digit points, Klay Thompson tied the franchise record by hitting seven 3-pointers in the first quarter against Washington on Monday, finishing with 23 points, as noted by Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News. “I can’t lie to you: It felt great,” Thompson said. “It always feels great when you shoot the ball well, but it just felt great because we needed a win where we put a team away early.”
Thompson also addressed speculation about his participation in the 3-point shootout during All-Star weekend, which will take place on Golden State’s home floor alongside WNBA star Caitlin Clark. “I don’t know the details, but if the opportunity presents itself, that’d be cool to be part of,” Thompson commented, per Townsend.
Signed to a two-way deal from the South Bay Lakers over the weekend, center Kylor Kelley made his NBA debut on Monday. He played eight minutes in the blowout win, contributing one point and four rebounds. “A lot of our guys are hurt. You just have to stay ready,” Kelley told Sefko. “Yeah, it’s always been about ‘stay ready’ for me. For anybody else in the G League, I’d say stay ready because you never know when you’re going to get called.”
