Honestly, looking at the Dallas Mavericks injury report today is enough to give any fan a serious headache. It’s not just a list anymore; it’s basically a medical journal at this point. If you’re checking in on the status of the squad for this Sunday, January 18, 2026, you’ve probably noticed the vibe around the American Airlines Center is... well, it's tense.
The Mavs have been through the ringer lately. Just when you think they’re about to turn a corner, another name pops up on that dreaded PDF the NBA releases every afternoon. We're seeing a team that is fighting for its life in the Western Conference standings while playing with a roster that looks more like a G League affiliate than a playoff contender.
The Cooper Flagg Situation: Why the Panic is Real
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Cooper Flagg. The rookie sensation has been the one bright spot in a season that’s felt kinda cursed, but that left ankle is becoming a major problem. He tweaked it against Brooklyn on the 12th, tried to gut it out, and then re-injured it on Wednesday against Denver.
Currently, Flagg is listed as Out for today. It sucks. There's no other way to put it.
People keep asking if he’s being "bubble-wrapped" because he’s the future of the franchise, but the reality is simpler: he can’t go. Ankle sprains are tricky, and when you’re a 6'9" wing who relies on that explosive first step, you can’t play at 60%. Jason Kidd mentioned in the post-game recently that they’re being "extremely cautious," which is code for "we aren't seeing him until he's 100%."
The Missing Veterans: Kyrie and AD
Then there's the veteran core. It’s wild to think about, but the Mavs are currently missing two of the biggest names in the sport.
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- Kyrie Irving: He’s still recovering from that left knee surgery. There was some chatter about a late January return, but the latest reports from insiders like Tim MacMahon suggest we might not see him until much later—possibly even after the All-Star break. He’s officially Out.
- Anthony Davis: This one really hurt. AD was carrying the interior defense until he suffered a left finger sprain. He’s expected to be out for at least six weeks, and we are right in the middle of that timeline. He’s Out today as well.
Without these two, the Mavs lose about 45 points and 15 rebounds per game of production. That’s a massive hole to fill. You're basically asking Klay Thompson and Naji Marshall to do everything, and while Klay has had some vintage "Game 6 Klay" moments this month, it's a lot to ask of a guy at this stage of his career.
Mavs Injury Report Today: The "Game-Time" Decisions
If you’re looking for a silver lining, there are a few guys who might actually suit up. The mavs injury report today includes a couple of "maybe" situations that could change the flow of the game.
P.J. Washington is the big one. He’s been dealing with a right ankle issue and sat out the last game for personal reasons combined with injury management. He’s currently listed as Questionable. Honestly, the Mavs need his size. If he doesn’t play, the frontcourt is basically Dwight Powell and prayers.
Max Christie is also a name to watch. He’s been battling an illness that’s been going around the locker room. He was "Available" yesterday but clearly wasn't himself. He's technically Probable for today, so expect him to get some minutes, though he might be on a short leash if his energy levels aren't there.
The Season-Ending Heartbreaks
We also have to acknowledge the guys we won't see again this year. It’s easy to forget them when they aren't on the court, but their absence is felt every single night.
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- Dereck Lively II: Out for the season (Right foot surgery).
- Dante Exum: Out for the season (Right knee surgery).
Losing Lively was the first domino to fall. His ability to protect the rim and catch lob passes from whoever is playing point guard was the engine of the offense. Without him, the Mavs are shooting way more threes because they simply can't score at the rim as easily.
What This Means for the Rotation
So, who is actually playing? You’re going to see a lot of Ryan Nembhard and Jaden Hardy.
Hardy is in a weird spot. He has the ultimate green light right now because, frankly, who else is going to shoot? But he’s also prone to those "What was he thinking?" turnovers that drive Jason Kidd crazy.
Then you have Klay Thompson. He’s leading the team in three-pointers made, and he’s basically the primary scoring option now. It’s a strange timeline we live in where Klay is the "old head" trying to carry a bunch of rookies and G League call-ups through a January slump.
Why Most People Get the Mavs Status Wrong
A lot of national media outlets are looking at the Mavs' record—currently sitting around 12th in the West—and saying this team is a failure. But they're ignoring the context. You can't lose your top three players and expect to stay afloat in a conference where even the "bad" teams have stars.
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The Mavs are actually playing surprisingly hard. They blew out Utah recently despite having eight players out. That tells you the culture is there, even if the healthy bodies aren't.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you're following the team today, here is the ground truth:
- Watch the Warmups: Keep a close eye on P.J. Washington. If he's moving well in pre-game, the Mavs have a chance to keep the rebounding battle even. If he sits, the over/under on opponent rebounds is going to be through the roof.
- The "Klay" Factor: Expect Klay to take at least 15-20 shots. If he starts hot, the American Airlines Center gets loud and the Mavs can play "spoiler."
- Manage Expectations: This is a survival period. The goal for Dallas right now isn't to climb to the 4th seed; it's to stay within striking distance of the Play-In tournament until Kyrie or AD gets back.
Check the official NBA injury portal exactly 30 minutes before tip-off. That’s when the "Questionable" tags usually turn into "Available" or "Out." Until then, it's all just educated guessing in a season that has been anything but predictable.
The next logical step is monitoring the 5:00 PM ET final status update from the team's PR wing.