Depleted Mavericks Look to Keep Rolling vs. Pelicans Despite Injury Woes

The Dallas Mavericks have been hit hard by injuries, but that hasn’t stopped them from finding ways to win. As they return from the All-Star break, the Mavs will try to keep their momentum going against the visiting New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.

Despite missing several key players, Dallas closed the first half of the season with an impressive 118-113 victory over the Miami Heat on Feb. 13. Can they pick up where they left off, or will the Pelicans take advantage of their depleted roster?

Dallas Leaning on Depth to Overcome Injuries

The Mavericks (33-23) have been without stars like Anthony Davis (adductor), Kyrie Irving (shoulder), and Klay Thompson (foot), along with key role players P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II. Unfortunately, things aren’t improving on the injury front—Dallas announced Thursday that Davis, Lively, and Gafford will be out for at least two more weeks.

Still, the Mavs have found ways to win, thanks to strong contributions from their supporting cast. In the victory over Miami, Dante Exum stepped up with 27 points, while Max Christie added 19. Spencer Dinwiddie and Kessler Edwards also delivered strong performances, proving that Dallas has enough depth to stay competitive.

Mavericks coach Jason Kidd remains optimistic, emphasizing that his team must stay locked in down the stretch.

“As I told the guys, get some rest, enjoy the break, be safe, and when we come back, it’s time to push forward,” Kidd said. “We’re starting to play pretty good basketball.”

Dallas has won four of its last five games and will need to maintain that form if they want to secure a strong playoff seed in the Western Conference.

Pelicans Searching for Consistency

While Dallas is playing through adversity, the Pelicans (26-31) have been in a freefall. They snapped a 10-game losing streak with a thrilling 140-133 overtime win against the Sacramento Kings before the break, but that was just their fourth victory in their last 15 games.

CJ McCollum carried the Pelicans in that game, exploding for 43 points while Trey Murphy III and Jose Alvarado each added 18. Despite the team’s struggles, McCollum has been a steadying force in the locker room, earning high praise from head coach Willie Green.

“CJ is incredible,” Green said. “He’s literally holding things together in the locker room with these young guys. He’s been through so much throughout the course of his career, and he gives everything he has every night.”

One of the young players benefiting from McCollum’s mentorship is Murphy. The 24-year-old forward has taken a major leap, averaging 27.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists over his last eight games.

“He’s probably the person I’ve learned from the most,” Murphy said of McCollum. “He’s been super professional, and I try to learn from the way he handles his business.”

The Pelicans are looking to even the season series with Dallas at 2-2. With both teams dealing with injuries and lineup adjustments, the battle for a crucial Western Conference win could come down to which role players step up the most.

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What’s at Stake?

• For Dallas: Staying afloat in the crowded Western Conference playoff race despite injuries.
• For New Orleans: Gaining momentum after a disastrous 10-game skid and developing young talent.

With so many key players sidelined, this game could come down to effort and execution. Can Dallas continue to defy the odds, or will McCollum and Murphy lead New Orleans to a much-needed win?