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Mavericks Shorthanded: Six Key Players Out Against Timberwolves on November 17, 2025
The Dallas Mavericks are heading into their matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, November 17, 2025, at Target Center in Minneapolis with a roster so battered it’s hard to recognize the team that started the season. Six key players are out—six. Not two. Not three. Six. And that’s before you even get to the emotional toll it’s taking on the locker room. The Mavericks, sitting at 4-10, aren’t just undermanned; they’re playing with a lineup that looks like a G League scrimmage dressed in NBA jerseys.
Who’s Out? The Full List
Let’s get the facts straight, because this isn’t just bad luck—it’s a cascade. The most devastating absence is Anthony Davis, the franchise’s towering power forward, sidelined with a left calf strain. No timetable. No hope. Just silence from the training staff since his downgrade from "Questionable" on November 14. Then there’s Dante Exum, the starting point guard, still out indefinitely after a right knee injury that’s lingered since early November. His absence isn’t just about playmaking—it’s about leadership in crunch time.
Center Dereck Lively II, who was already managing knee soreness, won’t dress tonight. Power forward Daniel Gafford is laid up with an ankle injury. Point guard Ryan Nembhard, a sparkplug off the bench, is also out with knee issues. And yes—Kyrie Irving, the veteran floor general and offensive engine, is sitting too. The team never officially confirmed it, but multiple sources—including Mavs Moneyball and the Acaster Podcast—reported it by 3 p.m. CT on the day of the game. Six players. All gone. No overlap. No recovery window.
Minnesota’s Relative Health Is a Stark Contrast
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves are rolling with only one major absence: shooting guard Terrence Shannon Jr., out with a left foot fifth metatarsal bruise. He’s expected back late November—meaning tonight, they’re at full strength.
And what a full strength they are. Anthony Edwards is averaging 27.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists—on 41% from three. Julius Randle is playing like an All-NBA candidate: 25.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.2 assists. Even Jaden McDaniels and Donte DiVincenzo are hitting their stride. The Timberwolves aren’t just healthy—they’re firing on all cylinders.
What This Means for Dallas
Without Davis and Lively, the Mavericks’ frontcourt is a sieve. Gafford’s absence removes their last rim-protecting presence. That means Julius Randle and Naz Reid will feast inside. And with Irving and Exum both out, who’s handling the ball? D’Angelo Russell, who’s averaging 12.2 points and nearly five assists—but he’s not the same playmaker. He’s a scorer. A passer. Not a closer.
Cooper Flagg, the 18-year-old rookie, will likely start at power forward. He’s talented—15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game—but he’s still learning how to navigate NBA defenses, let alone against a team like Minnesota. P.J. Washington and Max Christie will shoulder more minutes. Naji Marshall will be asked to do everything. It’s a recipe for exhaustion. And turnovers. And losses.
Why This Isn’t Just About Tonight
This isn’t a bad night. It’s a warning sign. The Mavericks’ injury list reads like a roster from a 2020-21 season gone wrong. Davis’s calf strain? That’s a recurring issue. Exum’s knee? It’s been nagging since last season. Lively’s knee? He’s played 67 games in two years. The pattern isn’t random. It’s systemic. The team’s training staff, medical protocols, and load management are under scrutiny. Fans are asking: Is this fatigue? Bad luck? Or something deeper?
And the timing couldn’t be worse. The Western Conference is brutal. The Warriors, Nuggets, Suns, and Kings are all pushing hard. Dallas can’t afford to fall further behind. A loss tonight drops them to 4-11. They’re now 11 games out of the playoffs. With the All-Star break approaching, the clock is ticking on their season.
What’s Next?
For the Mavericks, the next 10 days are critical. They play the Spurs, Jazz, and Kings before the All-Star break. No back-to-backs. But they’re playing with three guards and two rookies. If Davis doesn’t return by December 1, the front office may have to consider a trade—maybe even a buyout of a veteran to fill the void. The team’s medical team has been silent. No updates. No optimism. That silence speaks louder than any press release.
For the Timberwolves? They’re positioned to surge. With a healthy roster and a schedule that eases into December, they could climb into the top four in the West. This game isn’t just a win—it’s a statement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this injury crisis affect the Mavericks’ playoff chances?
With a 4-10 record and six key players out, Dallas is now 11 games behind the 8th seed in the Western Conference. Even if they return to full strength by mid-December, they’d need to win nearly 70% of their remaining games—something no team has done since the 2015-16 Warriors. The odds are now less than 5%.
Why is Anthony Davis’s calf strain so concerning?
Davis has missed 52 games over the past two seasons due to calf and Achilles issues. His injury history suggests a chronic vulnerability, likely tied to his 7-foot frame and high usage. Teams with similar players, like Joel Embiid, have seen long-term declines after repeated calf strains. The Mavericks are risking his prime.
Who will start in place of Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum?
D’Angelo Russell will handle primary ball-handling duties, with Max Christie and Naji Marshall sharing minutes at guard. Rookie Cooper Flagg may also be used in pick-and-roll sets as a pseudo-point forward. But none of them have Irving’s clutch shot or Exum’s defensive tenacity. The team’s assist-to-turnover ratio has dropped to 1.4:1 since Irving’s absence.
How does this compare to past Mavericks injury crises?
The 2018-19 season saw Dallas lose Luka Dončić for 14 games due to a sprained ankle. They still went 9-5 in those games. This year’s situation is worse: six starters out, no superstar left, and no clear path to recovery. It’s the most severe injury crisis since Dirk Nowitzki’s 2012 ACL tear—but without the same veteran leadership.
Is there any positive takeaway for the Mavericks?
Yes. Rookie Cooper Flagg is thriving under pressure, averaging 15.6 points and 6.7 rebounds. P.J. Washington has become a reliable two-way force. The team’s depth players are getting invaluable experience. If they survive this stretch, they’ll emerge stronger—even if the win-loss record doesn’t reflect it.
What’s the Timberwolves’ motivation for this game?
Minnesota is 9-5 and fighting for top-four seeding. A blowout win over a shorthanded Mavericks team boosts their confidence and net rating. It also sends a message to the rest of the West: they’re not just a one-star team. With Edwards and Randle clicking, they’re building momentum ahead of the trade deadline and playoffs.
