Latest heartbreaking injury all but ends the Mavericks' playoffs hopes

The Dallas Mavericks ended the regular season with a 35-point loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. The loss officially guarantees the Mavs the 10th spot in the Western Conference, as they now take on the Sacramento Kings in the Play-In Tournament on Wednesday. This marks the first time the Mavericks have made the tournament. They will look to make history, as the 10th seed has ever made the playoffs.

The pressure is on, as Anthony Davis will be the key to Dallas making history. He's having a solid April, averaging a double-double with 24.3 points per game and 12 rebounds. His defense has also been superior for Dallas, as he tallied seven blocks on Friday against the Toronto Raptors. This is the one thing that separates him from Luka Doncic. If Dallas hopes to make the playoffs, it will be on the defensive shoulders of Davis.

However, assuming the Mavs do the impossible, things won't be the same. For starters, the team would be playing without Kyrie Irving. Irving tore his ACL last month, as he was the one player keeping Dallas afloat after the Luka Doncic trade. His absence could be the one thing holding the Mavs back from getting out of the play-in and making a deep playoff run.

Brandon Williams' injury could be the final straw for Dallas

While Irving's absence threw a wrench into the team's playoff chances, Dallas got more bad news after Sunday's loss. Brandon Williams left the game early in the first half with a left oblique strain. He is currently listed as day-to-day, as the Mavs await test results on Monday. Assuming Williams misses Wednesday's game, this could make things even worse.

Last week, Dallas signed Williams to a two-year deal. He earned himself a standard contract after his productive play for the team. He averaged 16.6 points per game in March while shooting 54 percent from the field. Williams had his best game on March 7, scoring 31 points against the Grizzlies and converting 50 percent of his 3-point attempts. His offensive success is what stands out. He has good speed and isn't afraid to use his body to attack the rim.

As mentioned, Dallas is already without Irving for the foreseeable future, and losing Williams would put a deeper hole in the Mavs' point guard position. It was expected that he could be the answer to the Mavs' Irving issue. However, Dallas will need to look elsewhere for answers if he is out for an extended period.

Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy are the only point guards on the team's depth chart. They have solidified themselves as valuable role players. Both players can get hot and aren't afraid to carry the load when needed. Offensively, they score from all angles and can make adjustments when needed.

However, their lack of consistency can sometimes be their Achilles heel. For example, Dinwiddie shot 100 percent against the Los Angeles Lakers last Wednesday, then went 1-10 the following game against the Grizzlies. Hardy, too, goes on cold streaks, as his biggest issue has been his long-range shooting. It's hard to imagine them being consistent every night in a seven-game series.

Dallas does have another option in Dante Exum. He returned to the Mavs' lineup on Friday after a fracture in his left hand. Exum is on a minutes restriction, though, as he continues to ease his way back into the lineup. He has yet to show flashes of his old self and remains a mystery.

So, it's clear the Mavs must hope Williams can return on Wednesday. His flashy style will be important if Dallas hopes to upset the Kings. If he can't return, Dinwiddie or Naji Marshall will likely get the start at point guard.

Until then, Mavs fans will have to play the waiting game. Could Williams be available Wednesday, or is his season done with? Plus, what about the Mavs' offense? Can they survive if Williams doesn't play? Dallas will get their answer on Wednesday night when they play in a do-or-die game in Sacramento.