Monta Ellis Injury: Updates on Mavericks Star's Hip and Return

Mavericks guard Monta Ellis is dealing with a hip injury that saw him leave the team's Feb. 9 game against the Clippers. He returned against the Jazz on Feb. 11.

Continue for updates.

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Ellis Returns vs. Jazz

Wednesday, Feb. 11

As noted by Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas, Ellis returned to action against Utah.

Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that Ellis was a game-time decision.

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Ellis Injures Hip vs. Clippers 

Monday, Feb. 9 

Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis left Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a left hip injury.

Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas reported he was doubtful to return after exiting early in the first half.

After the game, MacMahon reported that teammate Dirk Nowitzki didn't expect Ellis to play on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz.

Ellis, who alongside Nowitzki has anchored one of the NBA's most prolific offenses, has been a bastion of health in recent seasons. He hasn't missed a game since April 26, 2012, when the Milwaukee Bucks—his former team—had already missed the playoffs and decided to rest a lingering hand injury.

Known as an unrepentant chucker in earlier stops, Ellis has found a home in Dallas. Rick Carlisle has forced Ellis to hone his best qualities and mitigate some of the negative ones. He is on pace to shoot 45 percent in consecutive seasons for the first time since his breakout season in Golden State.

The Mavericks, who boast a deep rotation of guards and wings, will in all likelihood distribute minutes evenly between a handful of bench players.

The Mavericks are a below-average defensive team built almost entirely around their elite offensive makeup. Taking Ellis out will increase the burden on Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons. It's likely they can shoulder the load for a few games, but some of those dribble-drive opportunities will trickle down to J.J. Barea—not exactly an ideal trade-off.

With every game mattering in the Western Conference gauntlet, every day Ellis misses will cast a more glaring spotlight.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.