Why Davis Bertans calf injury is problematic for the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks started out hot in a key game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. They scored 40 in the first quarter, including 21 from Luka Doncic as they held an 18-point edge. New Orleans lost nine straight coming into the game, and they had travel issues getting to Dallas. It was certainly a fast start for the Mavericks on Feb. 2 in a crucial game in the standings.

Davis Bertans came into the game with 2:24 left in the first quarter, and he nailed three 3-pointers in his first six minutes of action. Bertans was three for three from the field and had two rebounds before exiting with a calf injury. He limped off the court and immediately went back to the locker room.

Bertans was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the game, and it appears he will miss additional time. Dallas got some positive injury news before tipoff, but their latest injury leaves them might thin in the frontcourt until someone can return.

Why Davis Bertans calf injury is problematic for the Dallas Mavericks

Bertans missed the first month of action recovering from a preseason knee injury, but he had played minutes in 23 straight contests, including Thursday’s game against the Pelicans. He is a key floor spacer off the bench for Dallas, and his absence leaves them with just two trusted options in the frontcourt.

Head coach Jason Kidd said Christian Wood and Maxi Kleber have been cleared for contact and both would return to practice. He noted C-Wood could play during the team’s upcoming five-game road trip that begins on Saturday night in San Francisco against the defending champion Warriors, but Kleber would miss that entire trip. Both are traveling with the team and nearing a return, but it could be another week plus for both.

Dwight Powell and Dorian Finney-Smith will handle the majority of the minutes at the four and the five. Coach Kidd will likely give JaVale McGee some spot minutes at the five, and they will play plenty of small ball until Wood, Kleber, or Bertans is back in action.

There is no word yet on the severity of Davis Bertan’s calf injury, but it did not look good. Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest.