The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns meet Tuesday night with both teams managing injuries that could influence rotations and game flow at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET as two Western Conference teams look to halt recent losing streaks.
Dallas enters the matchup shorthanded in the backcourt, with Kyrie Irving ruled out following left knee surgery. Dereck Lively II is also out after right foot surgery. Daniel Gafford is expected to anchor the paint after averaging 8.3 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 63.0 percent from the field.
Klay Thompson is listed as questionable due to rest, a designation that carries weight for a roster lacking veteran scoring depth. Thompson averages 11.6 points per game and remains one of Dallas’ most consistent perimeter threats, hitting 37.6 percent of his three-point attempts.
Several two-way players, including Moussa Cisse, Miles Kelly, and Ryan Nembhard, are listed as doubtful due to G League assignments. Their potential absences limit bench flexibility for a team currently 19-33 and sitting 12th in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks are in the early stages of a rebuild centered on 19-year-old rookie Cooper Flagg, who leads the team in scoring at 20.3 points per game while contributing 6.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists. Dallas has dropped seven straight games, including back-to-back losses to San Antonio by double digits.
Phoenix also faces notable absences, starting with Grayson Allen, who is out with a right knee sprain. Allen averages 17.0 points per game and leads the Suns in three-point attempts.
Cole Anthony remains away from the team, while Isaiah Livers is sidelined with a left shoulder sprain.
Devin Booker continues to lead Phoenix at 25.3 points and 6.3 assists per game, while Dillon Brooks adds 21.1 points and defensive pressure on the perimeter.
Phoenix enters the contest seventh in the Western Conference at 31-22 but has lost two straight games, including narrow defeats to Golden State and Philadelphia.
The Suns won the previous meeting between these teams on November 12, taking a 123-114 road victory in Dallas.
