Monta Ellis Injury: Updates on Mavericks Star's Leg and Return
The Dallas Mavericks are battling for postseason positioning in the daunting Western Conference. Guard Monta Ellis has been dealing with a leg injury, but he is set to return against Oklahoma City.
Continue for updates.
Ellis Will Return vs. Thunder
Wednesday, April 1
Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman reported that Ellis is officially set to return against the Thunder.
Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com reported on Tuesday that head coach Rick Carlisle said "it looks promising" that Ellis will play Wednesday against Oklahoma City, though he later clarified Ellis would not play unless he was 100 percent healthy. Sneed noted Ellis practiced Tuesday.
Ellis Suffered Leg Injury vs. Spurs
Sunday, March 29
Tim MacMahon of ESPNDallas.com noted that Ellis missed the rest of Friday's game against the San Antonio Spurs after leaving with a lower-leg injury. Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News added that Ellis left the arena on crutches and later noted he was still using crutches Saturday. However, Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com revealed Sunday he was "off crutches, but he's still very sore" and would not play against the Pacers.
Sefko passed along head coach Rick Carlisle's thoughts on the injury Saturday:
""He's on crutches, which is never good," coach Rick Carlisle said. "So he appears to be very doubtful for tomorrow. We don't think it's serious. But we are concerned."
Ellis left AT&T Center on crutches after Friday night's 94-76 loss to the Spurs. He got kicked or kneed in the calf and had pain from his knee down to his foot, the Mavericks said.
Ellis leads the team in scoring at 19 points per game.
"It certainly creates a challenge we haven't faced," Carlisle said. "We're talking about a guy who has played every game since he's been in a Maverick uniform, which is beyond commendable. And so it's going to be next man up.
"We're going to have to make up for his loss collectively. You don't lose your best offensive player and have one guy who can step up and make the difference. The whole group's got to step forward. So, you know, we got our work cut out for us.
"We're hoping Mother Nature will be kind to us."
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The timing is certainly less than ideal for Ellis considering the playoffs are rapidly approaching. The Western Conference is loaded with potential title contenders, and there really won't be an easy series for any team in the top eight, including Dallas.
Ellis leads the Mavericks in scoring and is a critical cog in the offensive attack. Even with marquee names such as Dirk Nowitzki, Rajon Rondo and Chandler Parsons on the roster, Dallas needs Ellis healthy and on the floor for spacing purposes as one of its go-to offensive options.
Otherwise, it will be incredibly difficult to win a single series in the postseason.
