Mavericks’ Kai Jones Injured in Game Against Magic

ARLINGTON, Texas — Mavericks center Kai Jones exited Thursday’s game against the Orlando Magic after suffering a left hip contusion following a hard fall. The incident occurred with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

During a dynamic play, Jones emphatically blocked a shot attempt from Orlando’s Franz Wagner before sprinting down the court to catch a lob from teammate Naji Marshall. Jones finished with an impressive alley-oop dunk, but landed awkwardly on his backside, leading to his immediate exit from the game.

According to reports from Christian Clark of The Athletic, Jones was able to walk to the locker room under his own power, but did not return to the game. The Mavericks, who are fighting for playoff positioning, may now need to adjust their lineup. If Jones is unable to play in upcoming games, Dwight Powell and Caleb Martin are poised to see increased minutes.

The injury comes after another recent setback for the Mavericks, as they’ve also been dealing with injuries to key players. The team is eager to see how Jones’ situation develops as they rely on his performance in the remaining games of the season.

Fans expressed their concern on social media. A clip of the sequence showing the fall began circulating, with reactions highlighting the potential impact of the injury for the Mavericks’ playoff hopes. One fan tweeted, “Kai Jones gonna feel that tomorrow 😬,” alongside the video.

As the Mavericks continue their season, the health of their roster will be crucial. Coach Jason Kidd and team officials are expected to provide updates on Jones’ condition and potential recovery timeline in the coming days.