Mavericks busy nursing injuries as postseason nears
At a time when most playoff-bound teams are fine-tuning their offensive and defensive schemes, the Dallas Mavericks are unfortunately dealing with a series of injuries.
Starting small forward Chandler Parsons did not practice Monday after missing Saturday’s 123-110 loss to the Golden State Warriors with a swollen right knee. Starting point guard Rajon Rondo also did not practice after leaving in the second half Saturday with a hyperextended left knee.
And Richard Jefferson, who started in Parsons’ place against the Warriors, sat out Monday with a jammed toe.
The Mavs don’t know if any of the aforementioned trio will be available for Wednesday’s nationally televised home game against the Phoenix Suns.
“Parsons is doing a little bit better,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “He did not do anything in practice other than ride the bike.
“Rondo is doing better each of the last two days. He rode the bike and did a little bit of shooting. We’re hoping that he can practice [Tuesday].”
Parsons initially injured his knee in a hard fall March 29 at Indiana, but he played through the pain Wednesday at Oklahoma City. The four-year veteran, however, left Thursday’s game against Houston in the third quarter when the knee began to swell and the pain became unbearable.
Carlisle wouldn’t get into any specifics on whether Parsons is still experiencing any swelling.
“I don’t know if Parsons will be able to practice [Tuesday] or not,” Carlisle said. “I don’t know that he won’t, but I can’t say that he will.
“He’s gotten gradually better in recent days, but it wasn’t good enough to get him on the court.”
While the Mavs (46-31) are optimistic that Jefferson will be able to practice Tuesday, they have been fortunate to have three days off in between games. That has given Dallas ample time for its wounded to heal.
“It’s better than having three games in four days and having guys miss games,” Carlisle said. “Our training staff is busy. Our doctors have been busy. We’re trying to facilitate Mother Nature being a little nice to us.”
The Mavs are also trying to get on the same page during their final five regular-season games. The injuries have worked to stymie that process, but other formulas for success can still be digested.
“It seems like we have been playing every day for a couple of months now,” center Tyson Chandler said. “So if guys can’t be out here physically, then mentally we’ve got to lock in and still try to get some things done.
“Being a veteran team, we should be able to pick up things. Coach should be able to kind of throw some stuff in on the fly, especially given we have a couple of days [off].”
Time together on the court, however, is still paramount at this stage. Being cautious with the injured is also a major consideration.
“We’re not going to take any unnecessary risks with any of these guys,” Carlisle said. “They’re in the training room multiple times a day, they’re bringing ice machines home and all that, and they’re doing what they can do.”
Teams want Dallas
The Mavs are just 7-11 in their past 18 games, and there are a bunch of teams jockeying to get to the No. 2 seed so they can play Dallas in the first round of the playoffs.
To that, Chandler said: “Be careful what you ask for.”
The Mavs’ first-round opponent will be Houston, Memphis, Portland, San Antonio or the Los Angeles Clippers. The Rockets can clinch the No. 2 seed by winning their final five games, but the other four teams need help.
Dwain Price, 817-390-7760
This story was originally published April 6, 2015 at 10:50 PM with the headline "Mavericks busy nursing injuries as postseason nears."