Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder’s second-round exit in last year’s playoffs, head coach Mark Daigneault doesn’t consider the Dallas Mavericks a rival. The Mavericks handed the Thunder a 106-98 loss last week,

The Dallas Mavericks are seeking a few different upgrades ... the Mavericks have been connected to Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson, the Sixth Man of the Year winner in 2021.

All things considered, the Dallas Mavericks have done a good job staying afloat in the Western Conference despite the injury to their five-time All-Star.

With the news that starting center Dereck Lively II will be out for 2-3 months, the Mavericks are trying to avoid free-fall after losing nine of their last 12 games. With an important matchup against the Timberwolves looming,

The Oklahoma City Thunder picked up their sixth win in their last seven games with a 123-114 win over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. The story of the night, though, was guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

If any team has had it worse than the Thunder with injuries, it's the Mavericks. They remain without Luka Doncic since Christmas. They have lost Dereck Lively II for at least two months with an ankle fracture. It's a depleted roster and Gilgeous-Alexander's involvement should swing this toward OKC's favor the easy win.

Oklahoma City Thunder fan Jake Amy won $20,000 after making a half-court shot during Thursday's game against the Dallas

Dereck Lively II is the Mavericks' starting center when he's healthy and not in foul trouble, but it's worth having a quality backup for those concerns. But Gafford is making a little over $13 million this season and is likely viewed as a much more valuable asset than Maxi Kleber.

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After defeating the Utah Jazz Wednesday night 123-114 headed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's career high 54 points, the Oklahoma City Thunder are back in action tonight against a dwindled Western Conference rival.