Against Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic Section Two? Spurs and Mavs Injury Updates.

The Dallas Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs have already faced off twice this season. However, the upcoming matchup on Wednesday holds the potential for the first on-court meeting between Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama since the beginning of the 2023-24 season.

The Mavericks and Spurs had an exciting start to the season, with Luka Doncic showcasing his skills and outperforming rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama in a 126-119 victory on opening night. The Mavs secured a second win against the Spurs on December 23, with a dominant 144-119 victory, although Wembanyama was sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during warm-ups.

As the teams prepare for their third encounter, it is likely that we will witness the anticipated matchup between Doncic and Wembanyama, given the absence of the latter in their previous meetings. According to the latest NBA injury reports, Wembanyama is not listed, indicating his readiness to play after an impressive performance, including a triple-double, against the Toronto Raptors. On the Mavericks’ side, Doncic is on the injury report due to a broken nose but is listed as probable. The full injury reports for both teams are as follows:

Mavs Injury Report: Luka Doncic (nose) – probable, Kyrie Irving (thumb) – probable, Maxi Kleber (toe) – questionable, Dereck Lively II (nose) – questionable, Dante Exum (knee) – out.

Spurs Injury Report: Charles Bassey (ACL) – out, Marcus Morris Sr. (Not With Team) – out.

A notable update for the Mavericks is that Dereck Lively II has been upgraded to questionable after missing the last seven games with a broken nose. Lively, a key contributor averaging 9.2 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game, could return to bolster the frontcourt. Additionally, the Mavericks have acquired center Daniel Gafford at the trade deadline, providing valuable depth in the frontcourt.

Despite the potential for a competitive game, the Mavericks, riding a five-game win streak, are considered favorites with a point spread of 11.5. The Spurs, in a rebuilding phase, have lost eight of their last nine games. The expectation is that the revitalized Mavericks, led by Doncic and with improved frontcourt support, will continue their winning streak in what promises to be an intriguing matchup.