Mavericks Notes: M. Johnson, Christie, Aldama, Biberovic, Irving, Flagg
Mavericks rookie big man Morez Johnson Jr. is coming off the best game of his brief career, posting 13 points and two rebounds against Sacramento on Monday in 17 minutes off the bench, writes Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal. The ninth pick in this year’s draft made all five of his shots from the field after beginning the season averaging just 6.3 PPG.
“Just trying to get my legs up underneath me, pretty much,” Johnson said. “I was dealing with my shin issues, so coming back from that, just finding some rhythm from sitting out.”
Johnson was dealing with a shin injury in training camp and saw limited practice time during the first three days. He was listed as questionable due to the shin problem ahead of an October 24 game, but he was later upgraded to probable and was able to play.
Johnson has the unique experience of being an NBA rookie alongside his college coach, Dusty May, after they won an NCAA title together at Michigan. He said May hasn’t changed his approach to the game in Dallas.
“It’s been great transitioning with him to the NBA level. We’re both figuring it out together,” Johnson said. “I think we have great vets on the team that’s giving both of us some grace. I’m able to talk to all my vets about anything and they’re very helpful.”
There’s more on the Mavericks:
- Max Christie is sitting out tonight’s game with hip soreness and tightness after being injured in Monday’s contest, Afseth states in a separate story. Christie, who started the Mavs’ first seven games, left midway through the second quarter and didn’t return.
- Santi Aldama participated in pre-game warm-ups, but the decision was made to hold him out of tonight’s game (Twitter video link from Afseth). May said Aldama is “very, very close” to being available, which could mean he’ll play Friday against Utah, per Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). Aldama has been out since having arthroscopic knee surgery in March.
- Tarik Biberovic also took part in warm-ups and appears close to making his season debut after being sidelined with bursitis in his right heel, Afseth states (Twitter link).
- Tim MacMahon of ESPN expects a “big market” for Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline, but he’s skeptical that the Mavericks will part with the veteran guard if they’re in the race for a postseason spot (YouTube link from The Hoop Collective). “As much as he means to that locker room, as well as he’s working with Cooper (Flagg) … just basketball-wise they are a phenomenal fit,” MacMahon said. “And I do think there is a legitimate argument to be made for the value of playing meaningful games in March and April for the development of a superstar like Cooper.”
