As bad as things have been in the injury department for the Mavericks this season, they’ve been worse for the Philadelphia 76ers.
Once possessing the same amount of optimism that the Mavericks started this season with, the Sixers are playing out the string and actually have a reason not to win games: they keep their first-round draft pick if it’s in the top six of the draft.
If it’s not, it will be conveyed to the Oklahoma City as part of the long-ago trade for Al Horford.
The injuries and their draft situation have conspired to create a difficult situation for the Sixers. It’s similar to how the Mavericks have had to navigate so many injuries, although Dallas has its first-round draft selection no matter where they finish in the standings.
It’s a reminder of just how fragile things are in life and in the NBA.
“There’s the reason you go play the games,” Philly coach Nick Nurse said. “Lots of things can happen. You don’t have a thousand seasons. So when you have them like this, it hurts.
“It’s bad for everybody involved – fans, players, coaches, the front-office staff, owners, everybody. Hopefully, we use at motivation to turn it around next season. There’s some good examples of teams that have fallen way out because of injuries and things like that and come right back the next year. And that’s what I’m sure we’re hoping to do and I’m sure Dallas is hoping to do as well.”
Of that, there’s no doubt. Coach Jason Kidd said the Mavericks are sticking to their strategy of trying to put their best foot forward and finish in the play-in tournament.
After that, let the chips fall where they may.
“It’s part of the sport. Injuries take place but you got to keep pushing forward,” Kidd said. “I can’t speak for the Sixers, but for us, expectations are a part of it. But we have to continue to push forward and play hard. The two things we can control are energy and effort and that’s what this group is doing.”
And, as difficult as this season has been, there will be another one starting with fresh, healthy players before the Mavericks, Sixers or their fans realize it.
“There are many paths to the title,” Nurse said. “You have to be constantly evolving to what your path is. Whatever happens, can you pivot and get back on path? When you lose one of your big ones to injury during the season, it’s going to affect every team.”
One day at a time: The Mavericks had Kessler Edwards active on Sunday, leaving him with just two games that he can participate in for the rest of the season.
Players on two-way contracts are limited to 50 NBA games in which they can be active. Edwards reached 48 games on Sunday.
“We’re just going to worry about this afternoon,” Kidd said before Sunday’s game. “We understand he has three games left. We’ll figure that out as we go forward because there’s so many different scenarios here that can take place.”
The hope, clearly, is that some of the Mavericks’ injured players will return before they have to exhaust Edwards’ allotment of games.
Speaking of injuries: The Mavericks still were without Anthony Davis (adductor), Kyrie Irving (knee), Dante Exum (hand), Dereck Lively II (ankle), Daniel Gafford (knee), Jaden Hardy (ankle) O-Max Prosper (foot) and Kai Jones (quad).
One of the players who has benefited from the plethora of missing players is guard Brandon Williams, another two-way player.
In his previous eight games, Williams had averaged 16.3 points and 3.9 assists. He also had shot 43.9 percent from three-point range.
“B-Will’s (strengths are) speed and he can shoot it,” Kidd said. “Being around Kai and different guys on the team and being able to watch and practice against (them) has been very helpful for him.”
He was in the starting lineup on Sunday. He’s also a two-way player and the game against the Sixers brought his total number of games in which he’s been active this season to 45.
X: @ESefko
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