DALLAS MAVERICKS (1-1) at NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (2-1)
When: 6:30 p.m., Tuesday.
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans.
TV: TNT.
Radio: 97.1 The Freak, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish).
What you need to know: The Pelicans already are fighting a wave of injuries. They lost forwards Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson in Sunday’s 122-121 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz in what was New Orleans’ home opener. Williamson’s injury is no doubt confounding to fans of the Pelicans. He missed all of last season with a foot injury and has fought weight-related issues through much of his career. He went down in the fourth quarter of the loss Sunday when his dunk attempt was blocked and he fell to the floor hard. He was diagnosed with a posterior hip contusion and is listed as questionable. Ingram did not make out so well. He suffered a concussion and entered the NBA’s protocols on Monday and is out for Tuesday’s game. He ran into a teammate in the first half against the Jazz, causing the injury . . . Williamson had averaged 22 points through three games and scored 25 on Sunday before exiting . . . Guard C.J. McCollum has become a leader for the Pelicans since arriving in a trade from Portland. He’s averaging 23.3 points in the early going, despite shooting just 30 percent from 3-point range . . . Luka Dončić is off to a sensational start, averaging 33.5 points in the opening two games. He also has hit 17-of-18 free throws, which is one of his priorities this season – cashing in on his many trips to the line . . . New big man Christian Wood has scored 25 points in each of the first two games while showing he’s exactly what the Mavericks need coming off the bench – a versatile scorer and a strong rebounder, averaging 10 through two games. He’s also hit half of his 10 3-point tries so far . . . The Mavericks took three of four meetings with New Orleans last season and Luka averaged 30.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.5 assists . . . This is the start of a two-game trip for the Mavericks that concludes Thursday at Brooklyn. After that, they will play 10 of their next 12 at American Airlines Center . . . The team has been working on visa issues that have kept 5-10 Facu Campazzo from making his Mavericks’ debut. Those problems have been conquered, coach Jason Kidd said Monday, and Campazzo should be available for his first action in a Mavericks’ uniform on this trip . . . Davis Bertāns (right knee effusion) and Frank Ntilikina (right ankle effusion) have yet to play this season and both will be sidelined against the Pelicans.
Twitter: @ESefko
Share and comment