The Philadelphia 76ers (22-44, 10-22 away) roll into the American Airlines Center to face what is left of the Dallas Mavericks (33-35, 19-15 home) at Noon on Sunday.
Welcome to the Infirmary
The staggering onslaught of injuries continued as Dante Exum’s fractured wrist ended his season in the first quarter versus the Houston Rockets. This created further pressure on the Dallas roster to field the necessary bodies to meet the league requirement of eight healthy players.
Two-way player limitations are approaching for Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams. Due to apron restrictions, the Mavericks cannot add a veteran minimum contract until April 10th - and are now past the cut-off date for signing new two-way players. This creates a scenario where the upcoming game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 24 will be high drama for all the wrong reasons. With Edwards only allowed to play in three more games, will the Mavericks have enough players to field a squad against the Nets?
That assumes, rather generously, that they survive till then unscathed starting with this bout with Philly.
The return game before...*the* return game.
In any other year, the Quentin Grimes trade would be heralded as the lead blunder of the trade deadline. Since being traded for Caleb Martin, Grimes has played at All-Star level for the Sixers. Still just 24 years old, Grimes is the sort of rotation piece that could have potentially blossomed alongside the 20-something talent the Mavericks had to start the season. Instead, Dallas opted for a controllable asset in Martin over the uncertainty attached to Grimes' impending restricted free agency.
Grimes is averaging 26 points thus far in March and has breathed life into a dreary Sixers team. Saddled with a disinterested podcaster and a former MVP on the precipice of becoming a true salary cap albatross, Grimes has buoyed Philly and is the sort of player who could blossom into a star. After missing his most recent game against the Pacers, it remains to be seen if he will suit up for Philly. Given the state of things in Dallas, you are forgiven if you wish Grimes was still donning Maverick blue.
The Home Stretch
Just think. After Sunday’s game, only 13 contests remain until this season will draw mercifully to a close. I could get granular here on this third point but instead will do my best to bring a smile to your face.
Here are Dallas Maverick legends and Hall of Famers Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki being interviewed on the Tennis Channel from Indian Wells as they take in the 2025 BNP Paribas Open. I find happiness in how content these guys are in retirement. That’s something.
Go Mavs.
How to watch
This game WAS a nationally televised game (I think) that got flexed out. But it’s still on KFAA at noon and MavsTV as well.