Mavericks injury update: Illness lingers in locker room, key role player remains out

The Dallas Mavericks are now 15-8 after last night's victory over the Washington Wizards, and everyone is figuring out their roles in real time.

P.J. Washington is as reliable as ever in all aspects of the game, Luka Doncic has been excellent since returning from his wrist sprain, and Spencer Dinwiddie has been outstanding in big moments off the bench. The Mavericks look like one of the most dynamic teams in the Western Conference after 23 games, and despite having to battle tons of injuries last month, they are finally starting to get healthy for the most part.

Doncic, Dereck Lively II, Washington, Dante Exum, and Maxi Kleber all missed significant time with various injuries, but the illness that started floating around at the beginning of last week is still lingering in the locker room.

Marshall's return approaches with "day-to-day" status

Naji Marshall has missed the last three games with illness, and he hasn't been feeling well ever since the end of November. He played through this illness for a couple of games, but it hit him harder on November 30 against the Utah Jazz, and he never returned to the game. Marshall and Exum are the only two players out of the lineup right now, as Exum remains sidelined following wrist surgery, but there have been some good signs recently that Marshall's return could be soon.

Marshall was on the bench for Dallas' win over the Memphis Grizzlies and traveled to Washington, and Jason Kidd ruled him as "day-to-day" before the Wizards game. Dallas has two more games on the road trip as they play against the Toronto Raptors on Saturday and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday, and Tuesday night's game at Paycom Center may be the perfect opportunity for him to return. The fact that he made the road trip and is sitting on the bench is a good sign to begin with, and him returning on Saturday or Tuesday night could be in the cards. If it wasn't, he could have just stayed in Dallas.

A Tuesday night return allows Marshall to have one more game of rest, and then return for the NBA Cup Knockout Round game against the Thunder. Dallas has been finding a way to win without Marshall, but him returning to the lineup will make them even more deadly.

Marshall was playing his best basketball of the season before he got sick, and Dallas' three-year deal that they signed him to is looking better and better for the Mavs by the day. He is averaging 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.0 steals per game while shooting 54.4 percent from the field and 29.4 percent from downtown.

His slashing, finishing, passing, defense, and shooting (lately) have all been superb, and his ability to handle the ball and push the pace in transition can't be undermined. His trusty handle helps Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, allowing them to conserve some energy by letting him bring the ball up, and his impact has been much bigger than imagined.

Marshall has also been a great teammate, and he hypes up his guys whenever he gets the chance. The Mavs have been finding a way to get by without Marshall in the lineup, but his return is going to make this team even more dynamic on both ends of the floor.