Dallas Mavericks: How Isaiah Thomas’ injury impacts the Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks host the Washington Wizards in their regular season opener on Oct. 23. Here is the impact of Isaiah Thomas’ injury on the Mavs.

Dallas Mavericks supporters cannot wait for the season to begin. Reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic is looking to take another step forward in year two. Kristaps Porzingis will be healthy and playing his first games in a Mavs uniform. The team and its fan base are thinking playoffs.

Luckily, supporters do not have to wait much longer. Training camp starts on Oct. 1. The Mavericks have five preseason games before the regular season tips off on Oct. 23. They host the Washington Wizards on opening night. It will be a sellout crowd inside the AAC.

The Wizards got some bad news on Wednesday. Point guard Isaiah Thomas had surgery on his left thumb and is set to miss six to eight weeks of action.

Impact on the Mavs

It is five weeks to the day between Thomas’ surgery and opening night. It remains unlikely that he comes back seven full days ahead of the lower end of his recovery timeline. Fans should expect Isaiah Thomas to be out against the Mavericks.

Dallas should be significant favorites on opening night. The Wizards are coming off a 32-win season. They did little to improve this offseason. Washington is not considered to be a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

Point guard John Wall is set to miss the entire regular season. Now, IT is injured. That leaves Washington extremely thin at the one. Tomas Satoransky departed for Chicago in the offseason. Ish Smith figures to be the starter with Isaac Bonga backing up. All-Star Bradley Beal will do most of the playmaking, though.

Expect Dallas to counter by putting Delon Wright on Beal. Wright will provide a massive perimeter defensive upgrade for the Mavs this season. He will get the chance to show it on opening night by matching up against one of the NBA’s best guards.

The Wizards will struggle to defend both Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis. Beal will probably check Doncic most of the game. They could put Thomas Bryant on KP, but he will struggle to stop Porzingis’ shooting.

The Mavericks got off to a slow start last season. They cannot let that happen again. Expect them to be fired up come opening night and earn a statement win over the Wizards.

The Smoking Cuban will back with more opinions and analysis on the Dallas Mavericks all season long, so returning regularly is a must for supporters.