Veteran center’s honest thoughts on injury-plagued season
The Dallas Mavericks a four-game winning streak was recently snapped loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturdayand they look to get back on track Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Veteran big man Dwight Powell is the longest-tenured player on the roster, and with the frontcourt injury issues the Mavericks have had this season, he’s been thrust into a bigger role.
After the Mavericks game before the game against the Wolves, Dwight Powell talked about the team’s season so far amid injury problems.
“We play for each other … we play with a lot of energy, which is great,” Powell said. “But basically playing for each other, the next man up mentality is something we try to preach here. Unfortunately we’ve had to test that, we’ve had a few unfortunate injuries and situations that have been difficult, but the guys have stayed fit … and they’ve played for each other.”
The Mavericks’ frontcourt has been particularly plagued by injuries. Promising third-year big man Derek Lively II is out for the season with a foot injury. Anthony Davis, the Mavericks’ center in the maligned Luka Doncic trade, is out with a hand injury. Daniel Gafford recently returned to the lineup from an ankle injury. And a new star Cooper Flagg appeared on the injury report lately he has also been dealing with an ankle injury.
This resulted in Powell seeing extended minutes in the rotation. The 45th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Powell played just a few months with the Boston Celtics before being traded to the Mavericks. He has not played for any other team since then.
This season, Powell has appeared in 32 games, including seven starts, logging just over 14 minutes per game. He is averaging 3.2 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 65.3 percent from the field. He also brings an element of physicality to the lineup.
2026-01-28 19:01:00
