The Luka Doncic curse persists.
As if the Dallas Mavericks season couldn’t get any worse, they might actually have to forfeit games soon.
The Mavericks are currently facing a series of significant injuries that have severely impacted their roster and playoff aspirations.
And ESPN’s Bobby Marks says, per NBA rules, the Mavs could be forced to start forfeiting games soon if the injuries continue to pile on.
The Mavericks’ extensive injury report includes Kyrie Irving, who is out for the season with a torn ACL, Anthony Davis, whose adductor has kept him sidelined, Dereck Lively, who has been sitting with a long-term ankle injury, as well as Daniel Gafford, PJ Washington, Olivier Maxence-Prosper, Jaden Hardy, Kai Jones and Dante Exum, who most recently suffered a broken bone in his hand.
Caleb Martin did not play in Sunday’s loss to the 76ers with a hip strain.
NBA rules require a team to dress at least eight healthy players, or they’d have to forfeit, and Dallas had only suited up eight healthy players as of late, including Spencer Dinwiddie, Naji Marshall, Max Christie, Klay Thompson, Martin, Dwight Powell, and two-way players Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams.
Edwards could only be active for three more games, and Williams for just six more, unless they’re able to be converted into having standard contracts, due to two-way player limitations.
Washington has been out with an ankle injury but is expected to play on Sunday.
The Mavericks can’t sign another player to a standard contract until April 10, which happens to be the last day to waive a player on an expiring contract.
Queens native Moses Brown did play for the Mavericks on a 10-day contract earlier this season but has been off the roster for two weeks.
The Mavs, who are 33-36 this season and have lost eight of their last nine games, are in 10th in the Western Conference and would be in the Play-In if the season ended today.
They have 14 games left and hold a 1.5–game edge over the Phoenix Suns.
