As COVID-19 news continues to create one storm cloud after another, a much-needed sliver of sunshine was about to break through for the Mavericks.
Then, more gloom and doom.
Amid signings of new players and the loss of another key player, Tim Hardaway Jr., to the COVID-19 protocols, coach Jason Kidd had hoped that Luka Dončić would be cleared to play Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks.
That won’t happen, but not because of the superstar guard’s sore left ankle.
Dončić, who has missed five consecutive games because of the ankle, has been ruled out of Thursday’s game at American Airlines Center because he has entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
Dončić was added to the COVID-19 list Wednesday, as was backup guard Trey Burke, bringing the total number of Mavericks to six who are at various stages in the league’s safety protocols. All this with the marquee Christmas Day game in Utah looming on Saturday.
This is in addition to Eugene Omoruyi (right foot surgery) and Willie Cauley-Stein (personal) who are out for the Milwaukee game.
On the bright side, Kristaps Porzingis has been upgraded to questionable with his sore right toe.
Losing Luka is a serious blow, obviously, particularly after Kidd said Tuesday that a return on Thursday was possible.
“The first thing is the ankle, working on that,” Kidd said. “And then working on his conditioning. The way things are right now, with very little practice time, he’s doing the best that he can. Hopefully, we’ll get him back for Thursday. So that means things are going well.”
Unfortunately, things at this time are moment to moment with the COVID-19 uncertainty.
Dončić is averaging 25.6 points, 8.5 assists and 8 rebounds per game and the Mavericks have struggled mightily without him since the ankle injury happened in mid-November. They were 5-11 since Nov. 15 going into Tuesday’s game against Minnesota.
Revolving door should be installed: Even with signing two new players (and more to come, Kidd promised) the Mavericks had plenty of good seats available on their bench.
With most of their COVID-19 and injury absentees sent home before the game started, the Mavericks were down to 11 healthy bodies.
The infirmary list is long: Dončić (left foot) and Kristaps Porzingis (right toe) were out with actual basketball-related injuries. Hardaway, Maxi Kleber, Reggie Bullock and Josh Green were out having been placed in COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Willie Cauley-Stein remains out for a personal matter. And two-way player Eugene Omoruyi (right foot) also was unavailable.
So the Mavericks were down to 11 players and by the start of the second quarter, all of them had played Tuesday against the Wolves.
The addition of Hardaway to the health and safety protocols was surprising. It happened after the Mavericks did their morning testing on Tuesday.
“Everything is changing by the hour,” Kidd said. “Coming in to test this morning, we had Timmy. And we lose Timmy with the test. Things just change. You just have to adjust, and then put your guys in position to be successful and find a way to win. Just stay positive. There’s a lot of opportunities for guys to play on the biggest stage now. We’re signing guys left and right. You just got to stay positive.”
The Mavs found out Tuesday around 2 p.m. they wouldn’t have Hardaway, who had 28 points in Minnesota on Sunday.
Kidd said the league is like free agency right now with players who don’t have jobs getting lots of attention. The G-League has probably never been more empowered.
Kidd also said the Mavericks are trying to do their best to keep their players out of harm’s way.
“There’s a lot of ideas flying and communication,” Kidd said. “Those guys (who aren’t playing) will go home. They won’t be on the bench. We’re trying to do the best we can to stay away from each other. But also at the same time we have a job to do and that’s to go out there and find a way to win.”
New kids on the block: The Mavericks only got to 11 healthy bodies because they signed two players to COVID-19 hardship 10-day contracts: Marquese Chriss and Theo Pinson.
Both were on the court before the first quarter was over and Chriss, a 6-9 forward who was the eighth overall pick in the 2016 draft, had an immediate impact with a couple of nice rebounds and four points in the first quarter.
“Chriss was a lottery pick,” Kidd said before the game. “He played well for Golden State (two seasons back). (He’s) an athetic big. He just got in this afternoon. We’ll see how this goes if we can find some minutes.”
As for Pinson, he became an instant hit with teammates when he led a fast break with a perfectly timed bounce pass for a Dorian Finney-Smith dunk in the second quarter.
“Theo’s been in the league and understands how to play,” Kidd said. “This is a great stage and both of them will suit up.
“And I understand we’re going to sign some more guys as we talk.”
The Mavericks have space because so many players having entered the COVID-19 protocols. They took advantage of that on Wednesday by signing George King, a 6-6 swingman who has spent most of his career playing overseas since being a second-round draft pick of Phoenix’s in the 2018 draft.
Dirk’s new gig: Fans at home watching the game got a glimpse of Dirk Nowitzki’s broadcasting skills.
The Mavericks’ legend, who will have his jersey retirement ceremony Jan. 6, joined Mavs’ television play-by-play voice Mark Followill for Tuesday’s telecast.
“That might be the most exciting thing tonight,” Kidd joked. “He’ll do great. He’s up for any challenge. Dirk knows how to shoot the ball. He’ll be fine.”
It was supposed to be a one-time appearance, but with Nowitzki, you never know. It might be a second calling for him. He has made spot appearances before when he has been sidelined from games as a player for whatever reason.
Twitter: @ESefko
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