Gauging the panic meter on 5 struggling Mavericks before NBA Playoffs

4. Josh Green

Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green returned to the lineup on Wednesday night after missing nearly a month with an ankle sprain, and Green didn't have the best return to action.

Although Green knocked down one corner three, he ended the night shooting 1-5 from the field with three points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Green hustled as he always does in this game, but even before his injury, Green wasn't very consistent.

Green hasn't had back-to-back games with 10 or more points since early February, and inconsistency has plagued his young career. For the most part, he has struggled to string together consistent performances, and consistency matters in the playoffs.

If Green is consistently not effective in the playoffs, he could be someone whose minutes decrease.

Green's performance isn't judged on just scoring and his ability to full-court press and defend in space will be crucial, but he hasn't taken the fourth-year jump that many people expected.

It's not like Green is playing awful, but he's not playing great either. It has to be considered that it may take a while to get back into a groove since he just returned from injury, but he doesn't have much time since the playoffs are soon.

Green is at his worst when he isn't playing with confidence, and he was nearly unplayable during the 2022 NBA Playoffs because he had no confidence.

Green will likely be an effective role player in this year's playoffs, and his value will skyrocket if he can knock down open shots.

Panic Meter - 4