Dallas is aiming to secure a winning record in a three-game road trip that has started with a pair of tight games, but they will have to do it without star Anthony Davis, who might need season-ending left hand surgery, ESPN reported on Friday.
The Mavericks, who visit the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, confirmed that Davis underwent an MRI exam on Friday that displayed ligament damage in the hand. The club said Davis is currently seeking multiple opinions.
Dallas didn’t provide an injury timetable in its announcement. The team said it will release further updates when necessary. Per ESPN’s report, Davis would miss at least six weeks if surgery is avoided.
Davis (21 points, 11 rebounds) left a 116-114 road loss to the Utah Jazz late in the fourth quarter Thursday, two days after Brandon Williams swished a late 3-pointer to help the Mavericks edge Sacramento 100-98 and stop a seven-game road skid.
Rookie Cooper Flagg has led the Mavericks in scoring in each of the first two games of the trip, including 26 points on 10-of-18 shooting at Utah.
“I just have to be confident and step into it and knock it down,” Flagg said.
Dallas has won four straight games against Chicago, the latest a 120-119 victory at United Center on March 29. Matas Buzelis paced the Bulls with 28 points while Klay Thompson led Dallas with 20.
Thompson played in his 900th career game Tuesday and discussed how the accomplishment has humbled him.
“It’s awesome, honestly. A dream come true, and my next goal is to get to 1,000,” he said. “I know that’s a high mark and only so many players have experienced that, but I’m just grateful to still be playing.”
Meanwhile, the Bulls are glad to get back on the court after Thursday’s scheduled home game against the Miami Heat was postponed as moisture and slick conditions made the floor unplayable.
“It was my first time dealing with something like this since I’ve been in the league,” said Bulls guard Tre Jones, a seventh-year NBA veteran. “You could definitely feel it. I think as more people got in the gym and everything, it just got warmer. It continued to get a little bit worse and a little more slippery. It’s just tough to bounce back.”
The warm, rainy midweek weather has since shifted from Chicago, leaving the Bulls optimistic about the opportunity to stop a three-game losing streak.
Although the Bulls and Heat completed warmups Thursday and Chicago teammates Isaac Okoro and Jevon Carter played to a stalemate in a game of H-O-R-S-E, the court concerns created a de facto rest date.
Once they resume action, the Bulls will make improved physicality a top priority. Detroit outscored visiting Chicago 32-16 in the fourth quarter of a 108-93 victory Wednesday, with Bulls center Nikola Vucevic admitting the Pistons’ strong interior play made the difference.
Jalen Smith (concussion) was listed as out for the Miami game and is questionable for Saturday, while fellow big man Zach Collins is recovering from a sprained right toe and will not face the Mavericks.
“We have to find a way to make up the height we lost,” Vucevic said. “Hopefully, we get them back sooner than later.”
