J.J. Barea Injury: Updates on Mavericks PG's Groin and Return

Dallas Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea left Game 1 of his team's first-round playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, after missing Game 2, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Barea Active vs. Thunder 

Thursday, April 21

Erik Horne of the Oklahoman reported Barea is in Dallas' starting lineup for Game 3 against the Thunder.

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Veteran Barea a Reliable Backup for Mavericks

Primarily used as a backup for most of his 10-year career, Barea was thrust into the starting lineup toward the end of the regular season after the team lost Chandler Parsons for the remainder of the year due to knee surgery and Deron Williams for a few games with an abdominal issue. 

In their absences, Barea took over the offense and went on a seven-game tear in which he averaged 22.3 points per game, a huge jump from his career average of 8.5 points per contest. 

He also picked up Western Conference Player of the Week honors for his efforts as he helped the Mavericks solidify a No. 6 seed in the playoffs, where they are playing an Oklahoma City Thunder squad that took care of business in Game 1.

Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.