Mavericks' disastrous injury luck opens shocking opportunity no one saw coming

Injuries have been a major hurdle for the Dallas Mavericks this season, but it has been a blessing in disguise for Moussa Cisse. The young center has taken advantage of the opportunity and been a great rim projector for Dallas as a rookie on a two-way deal. Fans didn't expect to see Cisse this early, yet injuries have paved the way for him to showcase his talents.

The Mavs' frontcourt has taken a major hit this season. For starters, Anthony Davis has already missed 14 games. It's a trend fans are getting accustomed to. On the other hand, Dereck Lively II has also been out for a significant time with numerous injuries related to his foot and knee. So, it's nothing new as both players missed time during the 2024-25 season.

Dallas was hit with unfortunate injury news on Tuesday, as Lively II is set to miss significant time with swelling and discomfort in his right foot. This is the same foot that he had offseason surgery on, and Lively II being sidelined will likely give Cisse even more minutes.

Mavericks' injuries have pushed Mossa Cisse into a breakout role

Last season, Davis and Lively II's absence opened the door for other Mavs players. One player who took advantage of the opportunity was Kessler Edwards. The former Mav played on a two-way contract and took advantage of every opportunity. This is similar to Cisse's case, who is playing on a two-way contract and receiving plenty of playing time as injuries have accumulated.

The Mavericks signed Cisse to a two-way contract before the start of the season. He demonstrated great energy and determination during the Summer League, as many were unsure whether he'd make the team. The Mavs, though, liked him enough to sign him to a two-way deal after training camp. Many expected him to be someone who would spend most of his time developing in the G League, but that hasn't been the case. Injuries have piled up, allowing him more playing time in the NBA.

The Dallas rookie has appeared in 15 games thus far and has done a great job filling in for Davis and Lively II. On paper, he is averaging 3.3 points per game in 10.5 minutes, which may be concerning, yet it's been the little things that have made a difference.

He isn't known as a scorer, and he passes the eye test with an "A."

Defensively, he has been aggressive inside the paint. One thing that has stood out is his ability to protect the rim. It's no wonder he is one of the best rookie shot blockers in the league, as he is averaging 1.2 blocks, the second most by a rookie. His timing and vision have been terrific, and his athleticism makes a huge difference.

For example, in his third appearance, he pulled eight boards and had one block against the Memphis Grizzlies. Fast forward, a week later, and he progressed even further. He had nine rebounds and four blocks against the Phoenix Suns, as he shot 100 percent from the field.

One thing that has helped is Jason Kidd's trust in him. Last Monday, he played in 26 minutes against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He took advantage of his time, as he had 10 rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. Given the time, Cisse can dominate the paint and keep scorers from attacking the rim. He isn't a dominant center who will score a ton of points, but he will help elevate the defense and bring infectious energy.

So, while no one expected Cisse to be playing this soon, his early time has developed him into a dominant shot blocker. He is a solid center who has helped Dallas become one of the top defensive teams in the league. The question now is, how much more playing time will he get once everyone returns, and will he run out of eligibility before the end of the season?