Nick Angstadt here, the host of the daily Locked On Mavericks podcast, with your daily Locked On Mavericks newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Mavericks and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Luka Doncic is Out, Which Mavs Need to Step Up?
Nov 16, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images | Kevin Jairaj/Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
Luka Doncic’s Injury: A New Challenge for the Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are facing a significant challenge with Luka Doncic sidelined due to a wrist injury. As the team navigates this setback, the focus shifts to who will step up in Doncic’s absence. The injury, a right wrist sprain, was sustained during a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. While the injury is not overly concerning, it does highlight the Mavericks’ current streak of bad luck this season.
Opportunity for Other Players
With Doncic out, the spotlight turns to other players who must rise to the occasion. Kyrie Irving, now leading the team, has already shown his capability by guiding the Mavericks to a victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Irving’s role remains largely unchanged, but his efficiency and leadership will be crucial. He’s been averaging over 24 points per game and shooting impressively from beyond the arc. His ability to set the tone offensively will be vital in maintaining the team’s momentum.
Klay Thompson also has a chance to shine. Known for his scoring prowess, Thompson will need to find ways to create his own shots and contribute more significantly to the team’s offense. His performance has been inconsistent, but with Doncic out, Thompson’s scoring will be more critical than ever. The Mavericks will look to him to deliver strong performances, especially in upcoming games against teams like the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat.
Navigating the Upcoming Schedule
The Mavericks’ schedule presents both challenges and opportunities. They face the Nuggets, Heat, and Atlanta Hawks in the coming days, with the potential absence of key players like Nikola Jokic for Denver. This could make these games more winnable, even without Doncic. The Mavericks have been successful against weaker teams, and this stretch offers a chance to capitalize on that trend.
The team’s ability to adapt and find success without their star player will be a testament to their depth and resilience. Players like Naji Marshall and P.J. Washington have shown potential and will need to continue stepping up. Marshall’s ability to drive to the rim and Washington’s versatility on both ends of the floor will be essential in filling the void left by Doncic.
As the Mavericks navigate this period, the focus will be on maintaining their position in the Western Conference standings. The team’s performance in the next few games will be crucial in setting the tone for the rest of the season. For more insights and a deeper dive into the Mavericks’ strategies and player performances, tune into the Locked On Mavericks podcast for this and much more.
They’ve had close wins, technical wins, nail-biters and blow-outs; they’ve (reportedly) turned down superstars and and currently sit third in the west with a record of 11-5 — In a Western Conference finally coming alive, can the Houston Rockets keep this up?
The Rockets are on pace to tie or surpass the franchise’s win record of 64, set by a team led by James Harden in 2017-2018. It was Harden’s — and all the failed years of being in the running for title contention — ghost that still hung over the franchise as recently as last season, no matter that Harden himself has been part of three different rosters since he sulked his way out of Houston. Everything from the Rockets brand of basketball to the team’s waylaid trajectory back into competition had been set and then upended by him.
It was something of an exorcism then, that Houston handily beat Harden’s current team, the Clippers, in back-to-back games this week.
What feels especially lasting about the winning pace the Rockets have set is that there’s plenty room for the team to improve. Houston’s sitting at 25th overall in field goal percentage, 27th in three-point percentage, and is still claiming the ninth overall offensive ranking in the league. Their starters have all been shooting well below their career bests, and yet, nothing about the Rockets’ wins have looked harried.
For a team that has an average of just four years NBA experience between them, there’s a wealth of patience. When the Rockets have been pressed this season, or teams like the Pacers and Bulls have tried to rush them with pace, they fall back on snapping passes and sinking into ball movement. There are still sequences of ISO ball and flubbed defensive rotations, but Houston has leaned into their transitions as opportunities to reset. No doubt in part to having the always unflappable Fred VanVleet driving this thing, plus the veteran offensive ballasts of Jeff Green and Dillon Brooks.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Legacy Will NBA expansion bring the SuperSonics back to Seattle? Find out. (The Athletic)
Biz Amid their early-season tank, the Sixers expected to scour the trade market for power forwards. (Real GM)
Preview As the Dallas Mavericks prepare to clash with the Denver Nuggets, here are 3 things to watch in this exciting matchup, including key players and strategies. (Mavs Moneyball)
Roster With Luka Dončić out, the Mavericks will need contributions from players other than Kyrie Irving to maintain offensive momentum. (Dallas News)
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Franz Wagner A First Round Fantasy Basketball Player?
Nov 21, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner (22) celebrates with guard Jalen Suggs (4) after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers with a 3-point basket with 2.5 seconds left in the game at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
The Orlando Magic edged out the LA Lakers with a 119-118 victory. The game was a showcase of talent and strategy, with the Magic overcoming a deficit to secure the win. Franz Wagner was the standout performer, continuing his impressive form with a stellar 37 points, six rebounds, and 11 assists. His all-around game, including four steals and four threes, solidified his status as a top fantasy asset. Wagner’s recent performances have elevated him to first-round value in fantasy leagues, making him a potential sell-high candidate, though his current form might make holding onto him equally appealing.
Dalton Knecht’s Role and Performance
Dalton Knecht played a significant role for the Lakers, logging the most minutes on the team. While his 17 points, four rebounds, and one assist were solid, they highlighted the limitations in his fantasy profile. Knecht’s reliance on scoring and shooting efficiency means that while he’s a valuable asset, his contributions in other categories remain limited. Fantasy managers should monitor his role closely, especially as the Lakers adjust their rotations.
Anthony Black’s Consistency Concerns
Anthony Black’s performance was less consistent, with 4 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists on 25% shooting. While his recent games have shown flashes of potential, this outing underscores the volatility in his production. Fantasy managers who picked up Black for his upside should consider holding him through the Magic’s favourable schedule but remain cautious about his long-term consistency.
The Dallas Mavericks secured a victory against the Los Angeles Clippers without Luka Doncic in the lineup. How did Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson, and the Mavs pull off the win despite Irving’s shooting struggles?
The Dallas Mavericks have the 4th best offense in the NBA, but what would make them elite? Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson lead the Mavs’ offensive charge, but there’s room for improvement to reach the top tier.
The Dallas Mavericks are at the center of NBA trade rumors, with speculation involving stars that want to join Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson. As the Mavs navigate these rumors, the focus remains on building a competitive team around their key players. How will the Dallas Mavericks manage their roster with the NBA trade deadline approaching?
