Dallas Mavericks: Kristaps Porzingis (injury recovery) out vs. Wizards

The Dallas Mavericks are riding a three-game winning streak as they travel to the nation’s capital to face the Washington Wizards. Star center Kristaps Porzingis picking it up on both ends of the floor has keyed the Mavs. He has at least one block in ten straight contests and is averaging 2.0 per game over the recent winning streak.

The Mavericks will have to defeat the Wizards on Saturday night without Kristaps Porzingis. He was ruled out by the team well in advance of tipoff with what they listed as right knee, injury recovery. The Mavs are resting him on the second night of a back-to-back in hopes of keeping him healthy for the playoffs.

Who will step up with Porzingis out on April 3? How will Dallas adjust without their star center? Let us take a closer look.

Kristaps Porzingis out vs. Wizards: How will the Dallas Mavericks adjust?

The Mavs could be extremely short-handed in the frontcourt on Saturday night. Willie Cauley-Stein is out in the health and safety protocols, and Maxi Kleber is listed as questionable with a leg contusion. If Kleber has to miss the game, Dallas will have just Dwight Powell, Nicolo Melli, and Boban Marjanovic as traditional big men that are suited up.

The Wizards like to play with a traditional center and four guards/wings. Expect the Mavericks to counter with plenty of small-ball lineups on April 3.

Dallas needs Tim Hardaway Jr. to step up and be the team’s number two scorer. Jalen Brunson, Josh Richardson, and Trey Burke must move up a rung on the scoring latter as well. The Mavericks need their guards hitting shots and creating for others if they are going to pull off a victory on Saturday night in the nation’s capital.

Stay tuned for what should be a fun and exciting game on April 3. Expect Luka Doncic to go off as the Dallas Mavericks look for their four-straight win. Do not miss it.