Now clinging to a play-in spot in the Western Conference, the Dallas Mavericks are awaiting the return of their star, Luka Doncic, to make their ascent.

Guard Dante Exum, who’s missed the entire season thus far after undergoing offseason wrist surgery, was upgraded to “doubtful” for the Pelicans game, the first time all season Exum has been listed as anything other than “out” on the injury report.

That shooting performance put Daniel Gafford in the Mavericks' record books for the most games in team history without missing a shot (minimum of nine shots attempted). He also joined Lively and DeAndre Jordan as the only players in franchise history to have 20 points and 10 rebounds on perfect shooting, according to the Mavericks PR team.

Kylor Kelley spoke to reporters before the Dallas Mavericks' game on Monday night against the Washington Wizards.

Still out for Wednesday

Dallas Mavericks guard Jaden Hardy (1 ... With just under five minutes to go in the third quarter, center Dwight Powell left the game after falling down injured on a defensive possession. He was helped off the court and went straight to the locker room.

Dallas Mavericks (26-22, eighth in the Western Conference) vs. Detroit Pistons (23-24, eighth in the Eastern Conference) Detroit; Friday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Detroit comes into the matchup against Dallas as losers of three in a row.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago-Sun Times has reported that the Chicago Bulls are willing to trade anyone and everyone who isn't Matas Buzelis, making the Bulls one of the premier trade partners across the NBA. They have some key pieces that will garner interest, including players like Nikola Vucevic and Patrick Williams.

The Dallas Mavericks might have jumped on the Oklahoma City Thunder early in a matchup at the American Airlines Center, but it wouldn't hold for them. Late in t

Powell (hip) remains out for Saturday's game against the Celtics. Powell will miss a fourth straight game Saturday with a hip strain, and his next chance to suit up for the Mavericks arrives Monday against the Wizards.

Luka Doncic’s calf injury remains a major concern for the Dallas Mavericks, impacting their lineup significantly. Alongside him, key players like Dante Exum, Dereck Lively, Maxi Kleber, Dwight Powell,

Powell was escorted to the locker room in Friday's game against the Thunder due to an apparent lower-body injury, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports. It was later reported that he wouldn't return to the game, according to Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.