Rookie phenom Cooper Flagg faces a streaking Spurs team without Wemby. Can Dallas overcome a key injury and challenge San Antonio's dominance?
As the Dallas Mavericks get ready to take on the Spurs, in San Antonio on Friday at 7 p.m. CT, the home team looks to turn its six game win-streak into a push toward the NBA Playoffs.
And they might try to do it without Victor Wembanyama.
The Mavericks are a lowly 25-55 as they face off against their division rival Spurs, who are 61-19.
The Spurs are also 35-15 in Western Conference games, ranking sixth in the NBA allowing 111.2 points a game.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, are 4-11 against the teams in the Southwest Division.
So we know where this thing is likely going.
The Spurs, who average 119.6 points a game, have locked themselves into the two-seed – most likely setting them up for a winnable first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers or the Phoenix Suns.
But ...
Wembanyama did recently suffer a left rib contusion against the Philadelphia 76ers, causing him to miss the last couple games.
Is he playing tonight? It has been expected that he would suit up either against Dallas on Friday night or against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday in Game No. 82.
But ... as of 5:20 p.m.?
Wembanyama remains a game-time decision and go through warmups before a decision is made
These teams have already played each other three times, with the Spurs winning the last one, with Stephon Castle achieving 40 points in the victory.
Oh, and yes, San Antonio has recorded the victory all three times, with final scores of 125-92, 135-123, and 138-125.
Maybe Mavs rookie Cooper Flagg will put on a show when you tune in (KFAA and at 97.1FM KEGL).
But for Dallas - which returns home for the final game of the season to face the Chicago Bulls on Sunday - this is mostly about "Organic Tanking.'' And therefore, there's not much need to push it when it comes to injury issues with guys P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall or Klay Thompson.
Here's Dallas' full list ...
PROBABLE:
Cooper Flagg: Probable (Left Wrist Sprain)
Moussa Cissé: Probable (G League Two-Way)
John Poulakidas: Probable (G League Two-Way)
Tyler Smith: Probable (G League Two-Way)
DOUBTFUL:
Daniel Gafford: Doubtful (Rest)
Naji Marshall: Doubtful (Left Hip Contusion)
Caleb Martin: Doubtful (Right Plantar Fascia Strain)
P.J. Washington: Doubtful (Left Elbow Sprain)
Brandon Williams: Doubtful (Illness)
OUT:
Kyrie Irving: Out (Left Knee Surgery)
Dereck Lively II: Out (Right Foot Surgery)
And for the Spurs? Castle is out as he has been banged up (knee) alongside Wembanyama, the MVP-level talent who might be best-served spending most of his time on Friday watching his team chase its massive 17-point predicted odds advantage.