It appears that the Mavericks are throwing in the towel on what can only be described as one of the most disappointing seasons in franchise history.
After listing no players as questionable or doubtful on Friday morning's injury report, the Mavs reversed course by announcing that Kyrie Irving (right foot injury recovery), Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle soreness), Josh Green (rest), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring injury recovery) and Christian Wood (rest) will all miss Friday night's must-win game against the Bulls.
Luka Doncic is listed as probable on the injury report and is expected to play (left thigh/injury recovery). Doncic notably told the media earlier this week that he had no plans to sit out while the team still has a chance to make the play-in tournament.
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Dallas needs to beat Chicago on Friday and the Spurs in their final regular season game on Sunday, and Oklahoma City needs to lose at home to Memphis on Sunday in order to get the 10th and final play-in tournament spot in the west.
Complicating matters is that Dallas and Chicago have the same record and are tied for the 10th spot in the NBA Lottery. The Mavs' 2023 pick is top-ten protected. But if the pick falls out of the top 10, it will be conveyed to the New York Knicks to complete the 2019 Kristaps Porzingis trade.
According to Tankathon, Dallas and Chicago currently have an 11.7% chance of getting a top-four pick and a 2.5% chance of landing the No. 1 overall pick. Whichever team loses would increase their chances of getting a top-four selection (13.9%) and the right to draft French phenom Victor Wembanyama at No. 1 overall (3%). Whichever team finishes with the 10th-worst record has a 65.9% chance of getting a top-ten pick.
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