The latest bad news for the Dallas Mavericks involves Andrew Bogut. The recently acquired center is likely to miss at least two weeks with a bone bruise in his right knee according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
The Bogut news comes with Dirk Nowitzki’s continued absence as he has been indefinitely shut down with an achilles injury.
Bogut has been solid for the Mavericks since being traded to Dallas during the offseason. He is averaging a career low in points with only 3.8 per game. However, he is rebounding at the best rate of his career (23.4 percent) while still providing rim protection, strong screens, and good passing.
With Bogut sidelined, the Mavs do not have much in the form of centers. Dwight Powell will be the likely starter in his place. AJ Hammons and Salah Mejri will provide the bulk of the backup minutes.
That’s hardly much to be excited about for the Mavs who have been struggling all year. With a 4-16 record and no Andrew Bogut, the Mavs may be forced into tanking despite Mark Cuban’s wishes. Can it really be called tanking when you don’t have any good, healthy players on your roster though? I don’t think it really can.
