It only took 1 day of training camp for Mavericks' brutal injury curse to return

The Dallas Mavericks' training camp tipped off on Tuesday in Vancouver, Canada, and it didn't even take one day for fans' deepest fears to already be seen. Not even two full days into training camp, and the Mavericks already suffered two injuries that could hold severe repercussions for the team heading into preseason play.

For starters, it was announced that Daniel Gafford suffered an ankle sprain that will sideline him for the next two to three weeks, according to Jason Kidd, and this is not only huge because the Mavericks are already missing one of their centers, but the team will miss critical time to tinker with the double-big lineup method during the preseason. In Addition to Gafford, it was later announced that Brandon Williams strained his hamstring, which will also bench him for one week.

It doesn't even need to be said, but Dallas' biggest problem last season was their health and availability through 82 regular-season games, and it's already clear this team may not be built for the long run. Suffering two injuries this early into camp may just be a coincidence, but it could also very well be a hint at what the Mavericks may be battling once again heading into the regular season.

Mavericks are already fighting an uphill injury battle one day into camp

Heading into next season, one narrative has continuously stuck in the minds of Mavericks fans, and that was health. Assuming the Mavericks can stay healthy for the duration of this coming season, the Mavericks may have just enough star power and depth to withstand some of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Not only are Gafford and Williams' injuries this early into training camp already a bad sign for what may be to come during the regular season, but once again, the team is missing critical time with those two players in the lineup. The case for Gafford is already easy; the Mavericks need to see what they have with the double-big lineup, and he is a huge part of the success of the team.

For Williams, he will be playing in the biggest role of his career, with a reserve role as the second guard almost guaranteed with Dallas. Not to mention, with the Mavericks signing Dennis Smith Jr., the team could be looking to make yet another roster cut to get the former Mav on their roster, and Williams' contract is the only standard contract that is not guaranteed through the season.

Assuming Williams' health continues to decline, the Mavericks may have no other option but to let him go into the open market and test his luck elsewhere to clear up a roster spot for Smith Jr. While Williams is without a doubt one of the most important names for the Mavericks, his absence will be huge during one of the most important parts of the young season.

Luckily for the Mavericks, the worst of the two injuries belongs to Gafford, who is expected to only miss a maximum of three weeks. For Williams, it will be important that he doesn't reinjure his hamstring, as one of the most recurring injuries for a player can be that hamstring.

Assuming both Mavericks return fully from their injuries, there should be just enough time for both to make a full recovery just in time for the season opener against the San Antonio Spurs on October 22.