A glimmer of hope for the shorthanded Mavs as Klay Thompson gets the green light. Frontcourt woes persist, but perimeter offense receives a much-needed boost.
LOS ANGELES — The Dallas Mavericks reversed course Saturday afternoon, upgrading Klay Thompson to available against the Los Angeles Clippers despite initially ruling him out for the second night of a back-to-back.
Thompson had been listed as out due to left knee injury management after playing 24 minutes in Friday’s 129–119 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. His return to the lineup comes at a time when Dallas continues to operate with one of the NBA’s most depleted rotations, and his availability offers rare stability on the perimeter.
Thompson is averaging 10.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists across 19 games this season. Over his last nine outings, he has produced 13.4 points per game while shooting 37.2% from three on 9.6 attempts, giving Dallas one of its few reliable sources of perimeter offense while navigating a wave of injuries.
The Mavericks remain severely short-handed in the frontcourt. Anthony Davis will miss the second end of the back-to-back after logging 28 minutes Friday in his first appearance since Oct. 29. He finished with 12 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks, describing the return as an important step following a month-long ramp-up process.
In the locker room after Friday’s loss, Davis stressed that extended recovery time made a clear difference in his return.
“Anytime you get extra time, obviously you let your body heal,” he told Ratings. “I feel better now… you come back stronger.”
Ahead of Friday’s game, Jason Kidd set the tone for how Dallas would handle Davis’ reintroduction, reiterating that the plan allowed for only one appearance this weekend.
“We’re looking at 24 to 27 minutes,” Kidd said. “This is his first game back. I just want a positive experience.”
The Mavericks will also remain without Dereck Lively II, who was ruled out Nov. 25 with swelling and discomfort in his right foot and will miss the full three-game road trip. An update on his status is expected within 7–10 days. Lively has averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.9 assists in seven games this season.
Daniel Gafford continues to be sidelined as well, held out of back-to-backs following multiple right ankle sprains dating to training camp. Gafford is averaging 9.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. With Davis, Lively and Gafford all unavailable, Dallas is once again leaning heavily on Dwight Powell and two-way center Moussa Cissé.
Kidd credited Cissé’s presence as a necessary boost in the middle during this stretch of absences.
“Moussa has been really good for us,” Kidd said. “His hustle, his effort… coming up with blocked shots and offensive rebounds — that spreads throughout the team.”
Cooper Flagg remains available while wearing a right thumb splint. The 18-year-old is averaging 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 19 games and continues to shoulder expanded responsibility as Dallas’ frontcourt depth remains thin.
In the backcourt, the Mavericks continue to adjust around the absences of Kyrie Irving (left knee surgery) and Danté Exum (season-ending left knee injury). Ryan Nembhard, coming off his first career start, added 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting Friday with steady playmaking. Brandon Williams provided 11 points and remains a regular part of Kidd’s rotation.
The Mavericks enter Saturday at 5–15, hoping Thompson’s unexpected availability can help stabilize a roster still battered by injuries as they close their Los Angeles back-to-back at Intuit Dome.