Mavericks Face Kings Amidst Injury Struggles and Losing Streak

DALLAS, Texas — The Dallas Mavericks have fallen back into a slump, losing four of their last six games, and are mired in a five-game road losing streak. They will attempt to break this trend on Saturday when they face the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center, where tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. CDT.

Currently, the Mavericks hold a record of 12-20 and are struggling to find their footing in the Western Conference. They are coming off a disappointing performance on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, the Kings are in an even tougher spot, sitting at 7-23 and having lost six of their last seven games, including a recent 136-127 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The injury report paints a grim picture for both teams. For the Kings, forward DeMar DeRozan is key with an average of 19.0 points per game, supported by guards Russell Westbrook and Malik Monk, averaging 14.4 and 12.4 points per game, respectively. However, they will be without Domantas Sabonis due to knee issues, and Zach LaVine is out with an ankle injury. Keegan Murray‘s status is day-to-day, complicating the Kings’ lineup further.

The Mavericks are also facing significant injury challenges. Most notably, Anthony Davis is listed as questionable due to a right adductor injury he sustained during a recent game. Reports suggest that this injury could keep him sidelined for a few games, deepening the Mavericks’ woes as they try to stay competitive.

In Davis’s absence, rookie Cooper Flagg has stepped up, showcasing his scoring ability by taking a prominent role in the offense. He has scored 33 and 27 points in his last two games and looks to carry that momentum against the struggling Kings.

Despite their flaws, the Mavericks have an opportunity against a Kings team that is not excelling either. Both teams are struggling with 3-point shooting, with Sacramento averaging 10.6 makes per game—tied for lowest in the NBA—and the Mavericks hitting a mere 9.1 over their last ten games. This game may present a chance for either team to find some rhythm.

As the game approaches, both teams are looking for a much-needed victory to snap their losing streaks. They will meet at the Golden 1 Center with the Mavericks aiming to break free from their recent troubles.