For the last 10 games, the Mavericks have been without Kristaps Porzingis.
That should change on Tuesday against the Clippers after Porzingis on Monday went through his second consecutive practice without incident. If there are no complications with his right knee on Tuesday morning, he’ll suit up and presumably be in his usual starting spot, coach Rick Carlisle said.
It will mark the end of a challenging stretch when the Mavericks made it their goal to keep the ship from capsizing.
They went 6-4 without Porzingis. And it extended a trend that they started much earlier this season.
When the Mavericks have missed key personnel, they by and large have gotten by just fine. Maybe they didn’t prosper. But neither did they sink during adversity.
When Luka Doncic missed four games in December, they went 2-2, including impressive road wins at Philadelphia and Milwaukee. They also went 2-1 when Dwight Powell missed the first three games of the season. And they patched things together well enough to have a winning record without Porzingis.
It’s a strong argument for why it’s important to have a deep roster in the NBA.
When Maxi Kleber asked what the record was without Porzingis the last three weeks, he was pleasantly surprised.
“Six and four? Not too bad,” he said. “We have a very deep roster and anybody can show out and have a really good game. That’s what happened. KP was out and everybody stepped up his game, which was important because we need every win we can get for the playoffs.
“I think we did a very good job or adjusting to the circumstances without KP. So hopefully we can do the same thing with him.”
Part of the adjustment process was Kleber’s. He figures to move back to the bench when Porzingis returns. But the third-year forward-center was a major catalyst for the Mavericks while Porzingis was recovering.
Kleber averaged 12.3 points and 5.7 rebounds in the 10 games without Porzingis (five of them starts).
Carlisle has stressed a next-man-up mentality as the Mavericks have gone through the aches and pains. They have successfully dodged any long-term injuries, which helps.
“We did OK,” Carlisle said of treading water without Porzingis. “We’ve had some of these stretches. It creates a situation where others need to step forward and be ready. During this period, we’ve had to get contributions on a wide-ranging basis to make up for 17 (points) and 10 (rebounds), or whatever it is. And guys have done a good job.”
And it’s not just the points and rebounds, it’s shoring up the defensive end that Porzingis impacts with more than two blocked shots per game.
“Extra rim protection, rebounding, for sure, a guy who can stretch the floor, as well,” said Tim Hardaway Jr. about the things the Mavericks miss when Porzingis is sidelined. “I know he’s excited. We just had to make sure he got healthy. I know he didn’t want any setbacks. We’re happy to have him back.”
Carlisle said Porzingis will play against the Clippers, assuming there are no last-minute snags with how his knee feels. The 7-3 Porzingis thought he would play last week at Sacramento, but felt a little out of whack in pregame warmups and he was scratched.
“If he’s feeling good tomorrow, he’ll play,” Carlisle said. “I know he said he’s pointing toward Tuesday. This is two full practice days in a row. And if he’s feeling good tomorrow (Tuesday) morning, then I think we’re good.”
Briefly: Carlisle said that swingman Ryan Broekhoff went through “quite a bit” of Monday’s practice and he’s progressing in rehab for a stress fracture in his left leg . . . The Clippers, who rolled the Mavericks by 15 in late November, will be the finale of a 10-game stretch that featured eight home games. Starting Wednesday at Portland, the Mavericks will play seven of their next 10 games on the road.
Twitter: @ESefko
Share and comment