Credit: AP
DALLAS — Dwight Powell walked to the bench with blood streaming down his forehead, while teammate Kessler Edwards lay on his back, clutching his head.
The Dallas Mavericks are already reeling from the loss of Kyrie Irving to a season-ending knee injury, and now there’s no clear timeline for Anthony Davis’ return after he injured his groin during his Dallas debut, which came after the shocking trade that sent Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers.
But Sunday’s 125-116 loss to the Phoenix Suns might have been the lowest point yet for the Mavs. They finished the game with just seven healthy players, even after Edwards returned to the floor with a bandage over his left eye.
Dallas started the game with nine active players but was down to seven after Powell and Edwards collided heads while chasing a loose ball late in the third quarter. Both players required stitches, according to head coach Jason Kidd.
Powell never returned after getting treated on the bench to stop the bleeding before heading to the locker room. By the time Edwards came back in the fourth quarter, guard Brandon Williams was ruled out with left hamstring tightness.
Caleb Martin, playing for just the second time since recovering from a right hip sprain that sidelined him before his trade from Philadelphia last month, and Dante Exum, who’s been dealing with a right foot injury, were both on minutes restrictions.
“We had no subs because of the time restrictions on two,” Kidd said. “We’re trying to figure it out as we go.”
And if that wasn’t enough, the Mavs have to play again Monday night in San Antonio. Kidd didn’t sound optimistic about anyone coming off the injured list, which also includes P.J. Washington Jr. (ankle), Kai Jones (quadriceps), and Jaden Hardy (ankle).
“We’re probably going to have seven, eight at the most,” Kidd said, referencing the upcoming road game against the Spurs.
Despite the injuries, Naji Marshall had a career-high 34 points for the second straight game, playing over 40 minutes for the first time in his career. He wasn’t even one of the three players who played the entire fourth quarter.
“Honestly, I haven’t seen anything like this,” Marshall said when asked about the team’s injury situation. “But this is our job. All those guys in the front office signed us to this roster hoping we could fill in for the next guy when needed. I’m just going to keep doing that until those guys get back.”
In addition to Irving and Davis, the Mavs’ longer-term injury list includes centers Daniel Gafford (knee) and Dereck Lively II (ankle), as well as Olivier-Maxence Prosper (wrist). It’s possible all five may not play again this season, which could make it even more difficult for the defending Western Conference champions to hold onto a spot in the play-in tournament.
Suns star Kevin Durant finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, helping Phoenix close the gap to just 1 1/2 games behind the Mavs.
“It’s definitely one of the first I’ve seen where it’s just straight injuries and not tanking,” Durant said. “Guys are genuinely injured for longer than a couple of weeks. It’s sad to see so many players out.”
After the game, Kidd was asked jokingly if he or assistant coach Jared Dudley could help out with some bench minutes. Kidd, a Hall of Fame point guard, and Dudley, just four years removed from his playing days, chuckled at the thought.
“I don’t think we can do that,” Kidd said. “We can’t sign anybody. It does cost too much. You’ve got to laugh, because if you don’t, this will drive you crazy.”
