Sitting at 11th position in the Eastern Conference, the Mavericks have had a whirlwind season. The shocking trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers and brought Anthony Davis to Dallas left fans divided, and the team has been juggling expectations ever since. While Davis’s arrival was supposed to mark a new chapter, his struggle with injuries has made things unpredictable.

Davis made a much-anticipated return against the Brooklyn Nets earlier this week after sitting out for six weeks with a left adductor strain. He logged 27 minutes, scoring 12 points, grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists, and recording a steal and a block in the 120-101 victory. Despite his solid performance, there are concerns about whether he’ll be available for the Knicks game, especially since it’s part of a back-to-back set.

According to ESPN, Davis is listed as a game-time decision (GTD) for the Knicks matchup. Given his injury history and the Mavericks’ cautious approach, head coach Jason Kidd might choose to rest him to avoid further setbacks. With a season already plagued by absences, Dallas can’t afford to gamble with its star player’s health. But even beyond Davis, the Mavericks have an injury report that’s hard to ignore.

Caleb Martin (hip), Daniel Gafford (knee), Dereck Lively II, and Dante Exum (hand) remain sidelined. Gafford and Lively are working their way back through G League practices, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper (wrist) is out for the season. To top it off, Kyrie Irving suffered a torn ACL, which could mark the end of his season. Dallas has been trying to keep afloat amid these constant disruptions.

Considering the injuries, Dallas has gotten creative with their lineup.

Mavericks expected lineup for Knicks clash

If Davis sits out, Naji Marshall could step in as a starter at small forward. Despite the challenges, Spencer Dinwiddie and Klay Thompson have found some chemistry lately. Marshall led the team with 22 points off the bench against the Nets, while Dinwiddie secured a double-double. With a two-game win streak on the line, integrating Davis back into the lineup could be crucial if he’s cleared to play.

Dallas has had their injury troubles compounded in recent weeks. Kyrie Irving’s season may be over, and things need to click quickly if Playoff basketball is to seem a reality, in the coming weeks. Will they keep the momentum going against the Knicks, or will their injury woes hold them back yet again?