Dallas Mavericks: Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) to miss game vs. Kings

The Dallas Mavericks are putting their three-game winning streak on the line against the Sacramento Kings on April 26. Luka Doncic has been outstanding as he leads the team back up the standings. They will have to face the Kings short-handed, though.

Kristaps Porzingis was ruled out for the second straight game with a sprained ankle. He suffered the injury in the first game against the Lakers on April 22. It was just the fourth time this season that KP played on the second night of a back-to-back set when he sprained his ankle.

Porzingis is not the only player out for Dallas on Monday night. Josh Richardson (hamstring) will also miss his second straight game. The Mavericks are holding out J.J. Redick (heel) too. They will be down three key rotation players and two starters against the Kings, but keeping everyone healthy for the playoffs is more important at this point.

Kristaps Porzingis (ankle) out as Dallas Mavericks face Kings in Sacramento

Do not be surprised to see KP miss more time. Coach Rick Carlisle noted that he was not close to playing on Saturday against the Lakers. Waiting until he is healthy should be the plan this late in the season.

The Mavs are facing a crucial week. They have just 13 games left in the regular season and 1.5 game advantage over the Trail Blazers for sixth in the Western Conference. Remember, finishing seventh means taking part in the play-in tournament this season. Seven plays eight with the winner advancing as the seventh seed. The loser faces the winner of the nine versus ten contest for the final playoff berth.

Dallas plays five times in the next seven days starting with Monday’s game against the Kings. They cannot afford to risk KP’s health with the compressed schedule. Expect the Mavericks to sit the Unicorn until he is 100 percent. Dallas must get healthy if they want a chance to pull a first-round upset in the playoffs.

Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for updates on Kristaps Porzingis’ injury and all the information fans crave about the Dallas Mavericks.