Despite a promising offseason with some solid moves, the Dallas Mavericks have struggled to translate that momentum onto the court. Returning home with just two wins in seven games, they now look to snap a two-game skid against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans (1-6). The Pelicans, coming off their first win of the season over the Hornets, set the stage for a clash between two Western Conference teams desperate to find their rhythm.

Is Anthony Davis playing tonight against the Pelicans?

Anthony Davis has been officially ruled out for Wednesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Dallas Mavericks star will miss his third consecutive game due to a left calf strain. He suffered the injury during last week’s victory over the Indiana Pacers.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Davis is set to be re-evaluated this week. The injury is not expected to be a long-term issue, but the team is exercising caution with their veteran forward. His absence creates a significant void in both the Mavericks’ offense and defense.

Davis has been a cornerstone for Dallas when healthy, providing elite interior scoring and defensive presence, as reflected in his stat line. The Mavs star has been averaging 20.8 points per game while grabbing 10.2 rebounds, shooting 52% from the field. The team has struggled in his absence, particularly on the offensive end, where they rank last in the league in scoring.

Dallas Mavericks vs New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report for Nov. 5

Mavs injury report

The Dallas Mavericks have multiple key players sidelined for this contest. Alongside Anthony Davis, center Dereck Lively II has been ruled out with a right knee sprain. Guard Dante Exum is also out as he manages a right knee injury.

The team remains without star guard Kyrie Irving, who continues to recover from left knee surgery. These absences have forced the Mavericks to rely heavily on their role players and rookie Cooper Flagg in the early season.

Pelicans injury report

The New Orleans Pelicans, though they haven’t submitted their injury report, will be without their own superstar, as Zion Williamson has been ruled out with a left hamstring strain. The team announced he will miss at least seven to ten days. Center Yves Missi remains out due to illness, and guard Dejounte Murray continues his recovery from an Achilles injury.

Predicted Lineups for Mavs vs Pelicans for Nov. 5

The projected starting lineups for both teams are as follows.

These lineups reflect the significant injury absences for both clubs. The Mavericks will start a smaller lineup without their primary big men, while the Pelicans will feature rookie Derik Queen in an expanded role.

Where to Watch the Mavs vs Pelicans Game?

Fans can tune in to watch the game through the following options.

Date: Wednesday, November 5

Time: 7:30 p.m. Central Time / 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Where to Watch: The game will be broadcast locally on KFAA/WFAA for Mavericks fans and on the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network for Pelicans fans.

Live Stream: Viewers can also stream the game using NBA League Pass or the Pelicans+ service.

Match Preview & What to Expect

The Dallas Mavericks enter with a 2-5 record after losing to the Houston Rockets on Monday. They rank last in the NBA in offensive rating (103.6). P.J. Washington is coming off a season-high 29-point performance, but the team has struggled to find consistent offense beyond individual efforts.

The New Orleans Pelicans finally captured their first victory on Tuesday, beating the Charlotte Hornets 116-112. Trey Murphy III led the way with 21 points, while the bench contributed 62 points in the comeback win. Rookie Derik Queen impressed with 12 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists in just 18 minutes.

Despite both teams missing key players, the Mavericks’ home court advantage and slightly deeper roster give them the edge against a Pelicans team playing the second night of a back-to-back. The prediction is for the Dallas Mavericks to secure their third victory of the season.