Over the past week, the Dallas Mavericks have been caught in a tough battle with an illness that’s swept through the locker room, leaving some key players sidelined and the team struggling. It feels like just when it seemed they might finally be overcome with this wave of sickness, another player falls prey.
Dereck Lively II, Quentin Grimes, and Daniel Gafford have all missed games recently due to this relentless illness. Kyrie Irving has been listed on the injury report for at least one game but has managed to play through it—just another example of how much the team is dealing with right now.
In the midst of this turmoil, Naji Marshall’s situation has been particularly heartbreaking. He left last night’s game against the Utah Jazz due to “upper respiratory” issues and couldn’t return. Marshall’s been open about his struggles with this illness over the past week, and despite his efforts to push through, he hasn’t seen much improvement. You could hear the weariness in his voice after the win over the Knicks on Wednesday, when he mentioned taking “so much medicine” just to keep going. Now, he’s set to miss his first game of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers, a painful loss for both him and the team.
The Mavericks are already feeling the impact of other absences, with Dante Exum out due to wrist surgery, Dereck Lively II dealing with a hyperextended knee, Klay Thompson struggling with plantar fasciitis, and Brandon Williams on a Two-Way contract. With so many key players missing, it’s going to be an uphill climb for Dallas.
Before all this, Marshall was really finding his footing, especially with Luka Doncic sidelined. He’d been on a hot streak, scoring over 20 points in four consecutive games—showing incredible promise. His versatility on the court, from his defense to his improved shooting, has been a bright spot for the Mavericks, and fans were relieved to see he was more than just a replacement for Derrick Jones Jr.
Sadly, Marshall’s style is different, but the team desperately needs what he brings. His passing has surpassed expectations, and his ability to slash to the rim has set a career-high in efficiency—only to see it interrupted by illness.
In just 20 games, Marshall’s averaged 11.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists, shooting 54.4 percent from the field. His floating shots have been remarkably efficient, providing crucial support in Doncic’s absence.
Jason Kidd has shown a lot of faith in Marshall, trusting him to push the pace and handle the ball in transition—a strategy that has allowed the team to lean on Marshall and Quentin Grimes to alleviate some pressure from Doncic and Irving. But now, with Marshall out sick, the Mavs will really feel the loss.
We can only hope this illness fades away and Marshall can return soon, with his first chance being on Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. It’s certainly a tough time for the Mavericks, and I know fans are feeling the weight of this struggle right alongside the team.
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