Just as the Dallas Mavericks were beginning to find some much-needed positivity amid a turbulent week, they’ve been hit with yet another setback.

The franchise is still under scrutiny for its shocking decision to trade Luka Dončić to the LA Lakers, a move that has left fans outraged and calling for GM Nico Harrison’s dismissal.

Despite back-to-back victories providing a slight morale boost, the team’s injury woes continue to mount, with the latest blow coming after their win against the Miami Heat.

Daniel Gafford Faces Injury Layoff

Following an impressive 111-107 win over the Golden State Warriors, the Mavericks secured another hard-fought 118-113 victory over a struggling Miami Heat. These wins have helped Dallas improve to 30-26 as they push for an automatic playoff berth.

Max Christie, a key piece in the Dončić trade, continued to showcase his potential, posting a solid 19-5-5 performance and giving the Lakers a taste of what they let go.

The win was even more remarkable given that it came without Kyrie Irving, who has replaced the injured Anthony Davis in the All-Star Game.

While the severity of Davis’ injury remains unclear, one certainty is that Daniel Gafford will be sidelined for at least six weeks due to a Grade 3 MCL sprain in his right knee, as reported by Shams Charania. The news only added to the frustration of Mavericks fans, who feel their team just can’t catch a break.

Mavs Fans Left Frustrated

With Gafford now joining Davis and Dereck Lively II on the injury list, the Mavericks will be without key players for a significant portion of the season—something that hasn’t gone unnoticed by the fanbase.

One fan tried to stay optimistic: “Yikes. Well, at least we’ll be healthy for the playoffs.” Others were more critical, with one joking, “The only healthy body in Dallas is Nico Harrison.”

Concerns over the team’s diminishing depth were also voiced: “Who do the Mavs even have left on the bench? Can we start calling up players from the Stars or Rangers? This is getting ridiculous.”

Another fan blamed fate, saying, “It’s not even a curse anymore—it’s a full-blown script.” Meanwhile, one simply referred to the situation as “The Luka Dončić Curse.”

Harrison took much of the heat for the team’s struggles, with one frustrated fan declaring, “WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS. FIRE NICO HARRISON RIGHT NOW.”

Although the upcoming All-Star break may briefly divert attention from the Mavericks, it won’t be long before their injury struggles and roster concerns return to the spotlight. Fans should brace for a challenging stretch ahead.