Mavericks Face Celtics Shorthanded As Injuries Mount

The Dallas Mavericks are bracing for a critical matchup against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center, but they’ll be doing so without one of their most dependable forwards. P.J. Washington has officially been ruled out after entering concussion protocol, a blow for a Mavericks squad desperate to snap a season-worst four-game losing streak. The absence of Washington—who’s been a steady presence on both ends—adds to a growing list of injury concerns for Dallas as they prepare to face one of the NBA’s hottest teams.

Washington’s injury occurred during Saturday’s hard-fought 111-107 loss to the Houston Rockets. In the fourth quarter, he took an accidental elbow to the head from teammate Naji Marshall. After briefly sitting on the bench and rubbing his forehead, Washington exited to the locker room and did not return. It was a tough way to end the night for the veteran forward, who finished with nine points and four rebounds in 25 minutes of action. Over 36 games this season, Washington has averaged 14.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, logging nearly 31 minutes per contest. His consistency and versatility have made him a key component of the Mavericks’ rotation, especially with other contributors in and out of the lineup.

The Mavericks’ injury woes don’t stop there. Guard Brandon Williams is listed as questionable after suffering a right lower leg contusion in the same loss to Houston. Williams was forced to leave the game in the second quarter following a collision with Rockets guard Reed Sheppard. Before the injury, Williams was electric off the bench, pouring in 13 points in just nine minutes on 5-of-7 shooting, including 2-of-3 from deep. He’s been a valuable scoring option for Dallas this year, averaging 12.6 points, 3.6 assists, and 2.9 rebounds across 43 games. His potential absence could open the door for more minutes for two-way guard Ryan Nembhard, who is listed as probable, and perhaps even Max Christie and Caleb Martin, both of whom are waiting in the wings for increased roles.

“We’ve got to have the next-man-up mentality,” Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said, echoing a familiar refrain for teams battling through the grind of an NBA season. Kidd’s confidence in his group remains high, particularly in his rookie sensation, Cooper Flagg. The first-year forward has been nothing short of spectacular lately. After missing two games with a rolled left ankle, Flagg returned to action with a vengeance. He erupted for a record-setting 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets, then followed that with a 34-point effort in Houston, including 21 points after halftime. Even as the Mavericks came up short, Flagg’s relentless energy and scoring ability gave Dallas a fighting chance right up to the final moments.

Flagg had opportunities to tie the game late, missing a potential game-tying layup with 25 seconds left and a three-pointer in the closing seconds that would have cut the deficit to one. Despite the tough finish, his teammates remain steadfast in their belief in the rookie’s clutch gene. “Coops? Oh, amazing,” center Daniel Gafford said after the Houston game. “Put the ball in his hand and good things happen throughout the stretch of the game. We trust him to take those shots at the end of the game that he took. And the majority of the time, those shots fall. I’m pretty sure it was tough that he didn’t see that last one go in. He just came off a 49-point game. The sky’s the limit for him, so let him just get the ball and go.”

Coach Kidd echoed that sentiment, highlighting Flagg’s competitive fire and leadership qualities. “That’s how he’s built,” Kidd remarked. “He’s built to win. He’s going to try to do everything to help his team win. He’s done that all season.” With the Mavericks’ offense increasingly running through Flagg, Dallas fans have found a new star to rally behind, even as the team navigates rough waters.

In addition to Williams’ uncertain status, the Mavericks’ depth will be tested further. Two-way guards Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly are probable for the Celtics game, while center Moussa Cisse is questionable. Should Williams be unable to suit up, Nembhard is expected to absorb significant minutes in the backcourt. There’s also the possibility that Max Christie and Caleb Martin could see expanded roles, depending on how the rotation shakes out. The Mavericks’ bench has been a bright spot at times this season, but they’ll need all hands on deck to contend with Boston’s relentless two-way play.

On the other side, the Celtics arrive in Dallas riding high after a dominant 107-79 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. Boston overcame a 12-0 deficit to start the game, then completely flipped the script, holding Milwaukee to just 16, 19, and 18 points in the final three quarters. Jaylen Brown was the star of the show, posting 30 points and a season-high 13 rebounds. Brown, the league’s fourth-leading scorer at 29.4 points per game, has been on a tear lately, averaging 9.6 boards over his last seven games and pushing his season average to a career-best 6.9 rebounds per contest.

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla praised Brown’s impact beyond just scoring. “We always talk about (how) there’s a bunch of different ways you can lead — there’s 1,000 ways,” Mazzulla said after the win over Milwaukee. “One of them is what you saw (Sunday) — he had nine rebounds in the first half alone … It’s just another way that he leads. His understanding (of) what gives us the best chances to win every night, and also helping set the tone for the standards we have to have on both ends of the floor.”

The Mavericks and Celtics split their two meetings last season, with the road team winning both contests. That little nugget of history only adds to the intrigue for Tuesday’s showdown. With the trade deadline looming and the Mavericks searching for answers, every possession will matter that much more.

As tipoff approaches, Dallas finds itself at a crossroads. Injuries have forced the team to juggle lineups and test its depth, but there’s no shortage of belief in the locker room. With Cooper Flagg’s star rising and the possibility of key players returning soon, the Mavericks are looking to steady themselves against one of the league’s elite squads. The action is set to unfold in front of a raucous home crowd, and with both teams eager to make a statement, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle from start to finish.

One thing’s for sure: the Mavericks’ resilience will be put to the test, and all eyes will be on American Airlines Center to see how they respond to adversity against a surging Celtics team.