Just as it looked like the Dallas Mavericks were starting to find some green shoots of optimism given the negativity around the organization in the last week, they’ve been handed another major setback.
The team are still under pressure for their shock decision to trade away the face of the franchise Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers.
Fans have let their feelings be known about their dismay over the decision with calls for GM Nico Harrison to be fired.
While back-to-back wins on the court have provided a somewhat timely boost, the injuries are continuing to stack up with the side handed another hammer blow following the game against the Miami Heat.
An impressive 111-107 win over the Golden State Warriors was quickly followed up by a 118-113 win over a struggling Miami Heat.
The two wins have helped the Mavericks improve their record to 30-26 as they look to earn their automatic playoff spot.
Max Christie continues to show why he has been a strong addition in part of the Luka trade as he dropped another strong display with 19-5-5, he’s showing the Lakers what they’ve given up.
The win was made all the more impressive considering it came without Kyrie Irving, who has replaced fellow injured teammate Anthony Davis in the All-Star game.
It is unknown as to how severe Davis’ injury is currently but one thing that has been revealed is that Daniel Gafford will be out for at least six weeks with a Grade 3 right MCL sprain, according to sources of Shams Charania.
The news was not taken well by the Mavericks fans who can’t seem to catch a break.
Gafford’s injury now means the team will be without himself, Davis and Dereck Lively II for significant stretches of the second half of the season, an issue not lost on Mavs fans.
One fan said: “Yikes. Welp, at least we will be healthy for the playoffs,” another joked: “the only healthy body in Dallas is Nico Harrison.”
Another raised concerns about the team’s dwindling lack of bench depth: “Let’s recap! Who do the Mavs have left on the bench? Can we start calling up dudes from the Stars farm or Rangers? This is ridiculous.”
“It’s not even a curse at this point, it’s a whole script,” while another simply added: “The Luka Doncic curse”
It was safe to say Harrison got a fair share of hate for the news as well: “WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS. FIRE NICO HARRISON RIGHT NOW.”
While the All-Star break will take some attention off the Mavericks for a period it’s certainly not going to buy them enough time to get their stars back on the court. It’s going to continue to be a tough stretch for the fans.
