The Dallas Mavericks won 101-92 over the Orlando Magic last Thursday night at Kia Center, but it came with a cost.
Dallas added a new name to the injury list, as Kai Jones left the game early in the first period. The high-flying center landed hard on his back after completing an alley-oop play from Naji Marshall, who caught the rebound after Jones blocked Franz Wagner on the other end.
Jones finished the match with four points and five rebounds on 2-for-2 shooting from the field. His departure opened more minutes for Dwight Powell and Caleb Martin.
His injury was listed as a hip contusion, his second injury since he first played for the Dallas Mavericks on March 3, when he dropped 21 points and eight rebounds in a defeat against the Sacramento Kings.
Dallas Mavericks provide an update about Kai Jones
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd hopes Kai Jones won’t be out too long. On the other hand, Jones’ alley-oop dunk before the fall drew praise from teammate Anthony Davis.
“That was a heck of a catch and an unbelievable finish, but unfortunately he landed on his back,” Kidd said via Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News. “We just gotta figure out how to make plays without getting hurt and hopefully he’s not out for a long time.”
“That’s what happens when you jump too high. He got too much bounce,” Davis added about Jones. “But yeah, awkward landing. When he popped back up and tried to run down the floor, I didn’t believe it. But then it kicked in for him and that’s when I was like, ‘OK, that’s exactly how he should be feeling landing on his tailbone.‘”
