DALLAS — Before the Dallas Mavericks take on the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, the team provided new injury updates, including Tim Hardaway Jr., Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and Maxi Kleber.
The Mavs will list Hardaway (back spasms) and Prosper (ankle sprain) as questionable to play; both are new injuries on the report. Keber, who has remained sidelined since last playing on Nov. 9 due to a toe dislocation, remains sidelined.
“Timmy [will be] questionable with back spasms,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said after Thursday’s practice. “O-Max [has a] right ankle sprain. Maxi will be out.”
Regarding Kleber’s recovery progress, Kidd mentioned Kleber has been doing some on-court work and is out of his boot. However, he’s been doing similar on-court work as he’s been doing in recent days.
“He’s doing some stuff on the court,’ Kidd said. “Still, just the same stuff he’s been doing. He’s out of his boot but still doing his work.”
Dallas Mavericks’ Tim Hardaway Jr. against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
During the portion of Thursday’s practice open to the media, Kleber was seen doing some light work on the court. How close he is to returning to game action remains to be seen, but he is showing progress. He was initially supposed to be re-evaluated in “a couple of weeks” as of Nov. 11, but no update has been provided.
If the Mavs play without Hardaway on Friday against the Grizzlies, they will be missing a player who has averaged 16.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in 17 games this season. He’s converted at a 38.4 percent clip from deep on 8.9 3-point attempts per game. Dallas went 1-10 in the 11 games the sharpshooter missed last season.
Prosper did not receive any playing time against the Rockets, but he has played some spot minutes in recent games with Kleber sidelined. He last played six minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.
The Mavs gained Dereck Lively II back in the lineup after a one-game absence due to a lower back contusion. On Tuesday, he recorded eight points, five rebounds, and two blocks in 28 minutes against the Houston Rockets. Seeing how he progresses physically after getting back into a rhythm will be something to monitor.