The Dallas Mavericks will enter Wednesday\u2019s home matchup against the New York Knicks with another lengthy injury report, though the team expects to have more size available than it did during Monday\u2019s loss in Minnesota.<\/p>\n
The Mavericks officially listed Cooper Flagg<\/a> as available (right thumb sprain), Daniel Gafford<\/a> as probable (right ankle injury management), Dereck Lively II<\/a> as probable (right knee injury management), and four players as out: Anthony Davis<\/a> (left calf strain), Dant\u00e9 Exum (right knee injury management), Kyrie Irving<\/a> (left knee surgery), and Ryan Nembhard<\/a> (left knee sprain).<\/p>\n Head coach Jason Kidd<\/a> said Nembhard sprained his knee while working out.<\/p>\n Before practice, Kidd explained why Nembhard will remain sidelined, saying, \u201cRyan sprained his left knee working out. Hopefully he\u2019ll be back in 2\u20133 weeks,\u201d Kidd said.<\/p>\n Anthony Davis Remains Out as Calf Recovery Continues<\/p>\n Anthony Davis will miss his 10th straight game as he continues recovering from a left calf strain. Kidd said earlier this week that Davis will be re-assessed after \u201cseven to ten days.\u201d His absence, combined with the recent back-to-back stretch, has forced Dallas to lean heavily on its youngest players.<\/p>\n Without Davis, Gafford, or Lively available Monday, Dallas was overmatched inside during a 120\u201396 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, ending a grueling three-games-in-four-days stretch that included two overtime games. <\/p>\n Kidd said fatigue played a significant role in the loss, adding that the lack of size and continuity continues to test the roster.<\/p>\n \u201cFatigue, and they were aggressive,\u201d Kidd said. \u201cGive them credit. They came out and pressured us and we turned the ball over too many times against a talented team.\u201d<\/p>\n Since trading for Davis, the Mavericks have gone 9-25 in games that he doesn\u2019t play, while posting a 9-7 record (including play-in) when he plays. He hasn\u2019t played since Oct. 29. <\/p>\n Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II Expected to Return<\/p>\n The return of both Gafford and Lively would give Dallas much-needed frontcourt stability after neither center played in Minnesota. Gafford had been pushing through ankle discomfort in recent games, while Lively has been monitored closely since suffering a knee setback.<\/p>\n The team saw encouraging signs from rookie Moussa Cisse<\/a> in his first career start. Cisse grabbed 10 rebounds and blocked two shots, giving Dallas the physical presence it lacked up front.<\/p>\n Jaden Hardy<\/a> said Cisse\u2019s performance stood out in a difficult situation.<\/p>\n \u201cMoussa\u2019s done a great job ever since he\u2019s gotten here,\u201d Hardy said. \u201cHe\u2019s bringing great energy, and whenever his number is called he tries to go out and make the right play.\u201d<\/p>\n Kyrie Irving, Dant\u00e9 Exum Still Out; Guard Depth Remains Thin<\/p>\n