Mar 3, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) is helped off the court by forward Naji Marshall (13) and forward Anthony Davis (3) during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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Dallas Mavericks Injury Crisis: Could The Mavericks Be Forced to Forfeit Games?

The Mavs have only eight fit players in the roster.

When it rains, it pours.

And that is exactly what is happening with the Dallas Mavericks. Nothing has gone right for the team since trading away Luka Doncic in a shocking move. Some fans call it the ‘Luka Curse,’ while others say it’s karma. Either way, the Mavericks’ bad luck continues to worsen with each game.

Mavericks Injury Woes Continues

In Friday’s blowout loss to the Houston Rockets, the Mavs took another hit. Dante Exum suffered an injury just minutes into the game. He started and played only seven minutes before heading straight to the locker room. Soon after, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Exum had broken a bone in his hand and is out indefinitely.

Yet another injury hit for Dallas: Mavericks guard Dante Exum has suffered a broken bone in his left hand, sources tell ESPN. Exum is now out indefinitely. pic.twitter.com/7D2S0NNjUM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 15, 2025

With Exum sidelined, the Mavs are now down to just eight playable players. And with 14 games left in the season, things are looking grim.

Also Read: “I still believe in this franchise”- Klay Thompson remains hopeful as Mavericks’ losing streak ends

Mavericks Running Out of Options

Take a look at the Mavericks’ current list of injured players.

Dante Exum – Out

P.J. Washington – Out

Kai Jones – Out

Jaden Hardy – Out

Anthony Davis – Out

Daniel Gafford – Out

Dereck Lively II – Out

Olivier-Maxence Prosper – Out for season

Kyrie Irving – Out for season

The Mavs have only eight fit players, including their two-way signings. Kessler Edwards has three games remaining on his contract, while Brandon Williams has six. They cannot sign more two-way players as the deadline has passed.

Finding a replacement is not an option either due to their first-apron hard cap. They can’t add anyone until April 10, when only two games remain on the schedule.

Just when you think it couldn’t get worse… pic.twitter.com/qOeKO1tZ0q
— MFFL NATION (@NationMffl) March 15, 2025

Could The Mavericks Be Forced to Forfeit Games?

With 14 games remaining, the Mavericks’ current injury crisis could force them to forfeit games, making them the first team in NBA history to do so.

The only way they can avoid forfeiting games is if some of their injured players return.

But from the long injury list, only PJ Washington seems close to making a comeback. For others, it’s still a waiting game.

The Mavericks’ playoff hopes pretty much ended when Kyrie Irving was ruled out for the season. Now, with more injuries piling up, Dallas is close to making NBA history in the worst way.

Dallas Mavericks

Dante Exum

Kyrie Irving

Luka Doncic

Swati Bhatia

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I work as a content strategist, specializing in creating engaging content about the NBA, WNBA, and MLB. My main focus is on writing breaking news updates, research-based articles, and covering trending topics. Right now, I’m leading the content team for the NBA, WNBA, and MLB categories at Playoffs English.