While three teams are in a battle to clinch the #1 seed, there are also two teams in the race to clinch the #6 seed, and three teams amid a fight to finish 8th in the standings, the Dallas Mavericks have confirmed a playoff spot as either a #4 or #5 seed almost a week ago. With the Mavs having the #5 spot, they are set to face the Los Angeles Clippers as their first-round contest in the postseason. With the result of the final game of the regular season having no consequence for Jason Kidd’s boys, it is not surprising to see several crucial players, including Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, be added to the injury report against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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Remaining seed possibilities entering tomorrow’s @NBA regular-season finale ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/nfMbt0JSbp
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 13, 2024
The Dallas Mavericks have numerous names added to the injury report. Practically their entire roster – Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Maxi Kleber, Dereck Lively II, Dante Exum, Daniel Gafford, Derrick Jones Jr., P.J. Washington, and Gregg Brown III – are listed as “out”, per Mavs beat reporter Grant Afseth.
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report vs. Oklahoma City Thunder:
Luka Doncic – out (left ankle soreness)
Kyrie Irving – out (left hamstring soreness)
Maxi Kleber – out (low back spasms)
Dereck Lively II – out (right knee sprain)
Dante Exum – out (right foot sprain)
Daniel Gafford -…— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) April 13, 2024
The Dallas Mavericks kept the Kyrie Irving-Luka Doncic duo sidelined and also limited the playing time for the other crucial players to less than 18 minutes. Hence, to avoid his players any unnecessary injuries and keep them well-rested for the clash against Kawhi Leonard and co., Jason Kidd has nine of his players out for tonight.
With Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving resting tonight, the Oklahoma City Thunder can clinch the #1 seed
The Oklahoma City Thunder are among the three teams battling for the #1 seed in the Western Conference. Due to their head-to-head record against the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets along with the division record, the Thunder are currently placed #1 in the West.
Playing against the extremely shorthanded Dallas Mavericks, a victory is somewhat guaranteed for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and co. By winning tonight’s contest, Mark Daigneault’s boys can clinch the #1 seed.
There is only one scenario that prevents them from being the #1 seed even if they grab a win.
If the Denver Nuggets lose and the Minnesota Timberwolves win alongside the OKC, both the victorious teams will have a 57-25 record. With their regular season series and their division record also being the same, Anthony Edwards and co. would clinch the #1 seed because they will have a better conference record (38-14) than the Oklahoma side (36-16), per NBA.com.
![Josh Green may have played significant minutes during Game 6, but it was his postgame interview that caught all the attention. While being interviewed by ESPN Australia, Green had a hilarious conversation about Luka Doncic that hilariously disclosed the latter’s fear of spiders and snakes. The Australian even revealed he insisted that Doncic visit his home country, but the latter immediately declined. During the interview, Josh announced that the 6ft 7” guard would be visiting Australia in the upcoming offseason. With Doncic noticeably surprised, an amusing back-and-forth immediately ensued. Luka: “ESPN Australia!” Green: “Luka is coming to Australia this offseason...” Luka: “No there's too many spiders... I’m afraid of snakes and spiders” The five-time All-Star also claimed that Aussies didn’t “like” him. Luka: “They don’t like me.” Green: “They love you. I told him that everyone loves him in Australia but he doesn’t listen to me.” [per Kane Pitman] Josh Green and Luka Doncic just now. Luka: "ESPN Australia!" Green: "Luka is coming to Australia this offseason..." Luka: "No there's too many spiders..." Green: "I've seen none of Slovenia..probably a reason for that..." Luka: "We have no spiders..." It continued.... pic.twitter.com/YokuFVhakq — Kane Pitman (@KanePitman) May 19, 2024 There could be one potential reason for the crowd in Australia not “liking” him. During the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Luka rallied the Slovenian team to defeat Patty Mills and co. 91-80 in the second round of the tournament. Having already lost to Germany in the first round, the 11-point loss resulted in Australia’s elimination from the campaign. So, while Doncic may have only been doing his job, Australia does indeed have a reason to dislike the Slovenian superstar. That said, perhaps he shouldn't count out his chances of a peaceful visit to the country just yet. Luka Doncic could visit Australia due to his friendship with Kyrie Irving Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Kyrie Irving has been successful while playing FIBA tournaments, having won the 2010 FIBA Americans U18 Championship, the 2014 FIBA World Cup, and the 2016 Olympics. However, despite achieving all of these while representing Team USA, Irving is actually an Australian citizen. The Mavericks star moved to the USA at a young age after being born in Melbourne, Australia. On numerous occasions in his career, he has contemplated representing his birth nation. However, he claims that Coach K influenced his decision and eventually convinced him to play for Team USA instead. “I consider myself an international player even though I played on Team USA,” Irving told Fox Sports. “Team USA asked me to play for them when I was 17 or 18 ... I wanted to play for Australia, but it just didn't happen. Coach K wasn't going to let that happen either.” “I mean, he's Coach K. As a young fella, he definitely did tell me I had a chance to be a part of something bigger than myself and ultimately being the starting point guard on the US Olympic team.” Kyrie and his former coach (at Duke University) found success, winning gold medals in the FIBA World Cup and Olympics. Luka Doncic has often expressed his love for Kyrie, and vice-versa. Apart from lauding each other for the players that they are, they seem to be more proud of each other’s humble personalities. Considering that the two are so close on and off the court, there could be a possibility that Doncic can travel to Australia without receiving threats from the public for his hand in knocking them out of the World Cup. However, given his many fears, it's unlikely the Slovenian superstar ever considers taking the option.](https://cdn-wp.thesportsrush.com/2024/05/dc36b81e-untitled-design-2024-05-19t145959.456.jpg?format=auto&w=384&q=75)
