JaVale McGee to miss Dallas Mavericks vs Clippers with neck injury

The Dallas Mavericks had two players pop up on the injury report late ahead of Tuesday’s game against the LA Clippers. Davis Bertans remains out, but he practiced for the first time since training camp on Nov. 14. He was the only Maverick on the injury report before two players showed up late with neck injuries.

JaVale McGee was immediately ruled out with a neck strain, and Reggie Bullock was listed as questionable and was a game-time decision before finally being ruled active just before tipoff.

Who steps up for the Mavs with McGee out? How will the Mavs round out their rotation without the seven-footer on Tuesday night? Here is a closer look.

JaVale McGee out vs. Clippers: Who steps up for the Dallas Mavericks?

McGee opened the season as the starting center, but his poor play quickly put him on the fringes of the rotation. The seven-footer was a DNP-CD against Portland on Saturday night, and he topped ten minutes played just once in the last eight games.

Head coach Jason Kidd will give additional minutes to Dwight Powell, Christian Wood, and Maxi Kleber on Tuesday night. The Clippers have Ivica Zubac, so the Mavs big men need to avoid fouling and get a body on LA’s starting center. When Zubac sits, the Clippers will go small, and coach Kidd will have additional options including playing Dorian Finney-Smith some at the five.

Josh Green and Tim Hardaway Jr. will likely get more run if Bullock needs a bit of extra rest. The Mavs could also turn to Frank Ntilikina or Facundo Campazzo for spot minutes off the bench. Coach Kidd has mentioned he wants to find Green additional playing time, and Tuesday night could be his chance.

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic is always fired up to face the LA Clippers after they knocked his team out of the playoffs in 2020 and 2021. Expect the 23-year-old to go off at the American Airlines Center on Tuesday night, even if the Mavs are a bit shorthanded. Will it be enough to secure the win? Tune in to find out.