One step forward, one step straight into a wall: that’s been the Mavs’ whole 4–12 vibe. The lone ray of sunshine? No.1 pick Cooper Flagg, who missed a game but finally returns tonight against the Pelicans in their NBA Cup clash. But because this team can’t have nice things, D’Angelo Russell, a late, very unwelcome addition to the injury report, just got stamped into the dreaded OUT column.

Underdog NBA dropped the update: “D’Angelo Russell (illness) ruled out Friday.” With him out, the Mavs will likely hand extra minutes to Jaden Hardy and Brandon Williams. As for Russell, go ahead and pencil him in as a big, wobbly “questionable” for Saturday’s matchup with the Grizzlies.

Russell’s been bouncing around the injury report lately. He was listed as questionable earlier. It hasn’t been ideal timing either, especially with Dallas already shorthanded and searching for any kind of stability.

But when he has been available, he’s delivered exactly that. His latest reminder came in the Knicks game, where he erupted for 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting, drilled four threes, and stacked seven assists with five rebounds. Paired with Naji Marshall’s 23, he carried the bench in that tight 113–111 loss. 

Even with a few spot starts while Kyrie rehabs his torn ACL, Russell has mostly locked into his sixth-man role. He’s been consistent too, averaging 12.6 points, 5 assists, and nearly 3 rebounds, giving HC Jason Kidd one of the few reliable pieces in a season that hasn’t offered many.

The Pelicans aren’t exactly rolling into Dallas with momentum either. At 2–13, they’ve struggled just as much, especially in the West, where they’ve gone a brutal 1–12 and haven’t beaten a single team above .500. Their defense has been generous too, which weirdly makes this matchup a battle of who can take advantage of whose issues first.

Dallas is shooting 44.6% on the season, while New Orleans is hovering around 44.2%. And remember, these two already met once this year: the Pelicans snuck away with a 101–99 win back on Nov. 6, behind Saddiq Bey’s 22, while Cooper Flagg led the Mavs with 20.

Ironically, one of Dallas’ hottest performers has been Russell, shooting a ridiculous 60% over his last 10 games. With him sidelined, the Pelicans might just sneak out another win.

Let’s take a look at how both teams’ lineups are shaping up now: 

Russell’s moment in Dallas: Opportunity or waiting game?

The Dallas Mavericks rolled out a new point guard this season, and his name is D’Angelo Russell. Once a struggling piece between the Lakers and Nets, Russell averaged just 12.6 points per game and shot a career-low 31.4% from deep last year. Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes pegged him as Dallas’ “biggest riser” heading into the season, and with more minutes on a team in need of stability, Russell now has the chance to prove he’s more than just flashes of talent. But with Kyrie Irving sidelined indefinitely, the Mavs are counting on him to hold the fort until their star returns, a task that’s easier said than done in the stacked Western Conference.

Russell’s potential has shown up in bursts. Case in point: a 133–127 double-overtime thriller against the Clippers in an NBA Cup game, where he dropped 28 points, grabbed six boards, and dished out five assists. For most of the regulation, he controlled the half-court pace and made Dallas tick.

But when the game stretched into overtime, Russell tightened up, forcing tough layups and coughing up the ball at critical moments. These sporadic outbursts highlight why Dallas can’t fully rely on him just yet.

Looking ahead, the Mavericks’ plan is fluid. When Irving returns, Russell’s role could shrink to 15–25 minutes a night against second units, letting him feast in controlled bursts. But if his scoring remains one-off explosions instead of consistent production, Brandon Williams could emerge as the steadier backup point guard, potentially locking down a long-term role in Dallas.

Ultimately, Russell’s future here hinges on two things: how he performs when the spotlight is on him and the timeline of Kyrie’s return. Until then, it’s a mix of opportunity, pressure, and a waiting game.