The Dallas Mavericks are in title contention this season but have unfortunately dealt with injuries to Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as the role players try to steer the ship until the stars return.

Dejounte Murray lit the Mavericks up for 30 points, and Trey Murphy III wasn't far behind with 24. Neither was entirely efficient from the floor, but they made enough shots to sink the Mavs. Dallas' starters just weren't good enough, which is where we'll start our three takeaways.

(AP Photo/Richard W. Rodriguez) Dallas Mavericks’ Jaden Hardy celebrates with head coach Jason Kidd after a three-pointer against the Portland Trail Blazers in the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Richard W.

It’s hard to figure out just how good the Mavericks are at the midway point of the season given the litany of injuries to their key players.

There's no doubt that the Mavericks are proving to be a legitimate contender in the Western Conference, when their superstar trio is healthy.

If the Mavs want to avoid trading Grimes, they'd have to include two of Olivier Maxence-Prosper ($2.8 million), Spencer Dinwiddie ($2 million), Markieff Morris ($2 million), and Jaden Hardy ($2 million).

The Oklahoma City Thunder put forth a supreme effort on the front end of a back-to-back set, and they will look to play just as well on the second side when they visit the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. Oklahoma City dismantled the visiting Cavaliers 134-114 on Thursday night and now shares the best record (34-6) in the league with Cleveland.

Jimmy Butler continues to loom large over the NBA trade deadline. Here is the latest intel and rumors surrounding possible deals.

Given some of the vacancies in the Dallas Mavericks' lineup, Spencer Dinwiddie has taken on a larger role, but that could easily change if he doesn't attend to this one issue.

After going 2-8 in their last 10 games, Jason Kidd can't continue to expose Klay Thompson's worst-kept secret for the Dallas Mavericks.

Hardy won't return to Friday's game against the Thunder due to a right ankle sprain. Hardy collided with Isaiah Joe after stepping onto the court for just a single minute. He had a pretty significant limp afterwards and the Mavericks were quick to rule him out.