Key decisions loom as the Mavs navigate injuries, potential buyouts, and a frustrating home loss. Cooper Flagg's absence continues to sting.
DALLAS - Some decisions are about a night. Some are about a season.
In the case of your Dallas Mavs on Friday at home at the AAC? They made two in each category.
At the top of the To-Do List in a 124-105 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies? Dallas was again without rookie star Cooper Flagg, as the 19-year-old missed his sixth consecutive game with a left midfoot sprain.
Is Flagg going to play next on Tuesday in Charlotte against the Hornets and his former Duke roommate Kon Knueppel?
“Probably not,” Kidd said.
Also sitting this one out was veteran Klay Thompson, with the tank-minded Mavs citing "rest'' as the reason. And Marving Bagley (neck) missed as well.
Meanwhile, the Mavericks are in the process of possibly saying two goodbyes.
Khris Middleton is a candidate for a buyout that would allow him to join a contender.
“That’s up to Khris,” Kidd said. “Whatever decision he makes, whether he stays or gets bought out, that’s on him and we support that. He’s had an incredible career, and it’s not over. He’s still got some gas in the tank.”
And Tyus Jones is being freed, with Marc Stein reporting that he "will be playoff-eligible with his next team because his release is taking place before Sunday’s buyout deadline.
In this game?
The Mavericks got 16 points from Brandon Williams and 13 points and 11 rebounds from Dwight Powell but fell to 21-38.
The Grizzlies improved their record to 22-36.
"Injuries, guys out, rest, getting off to a slow start," Kidd said. "We finished on a high note. We could have easily let go of the rope, but the group kept fighting and we won that (fourth quarter) by 12. The continuity is definitely not there right now with the injuries and as we go forward (hopefully) we get some bodies back.''