The Dallas Mavericks were dealt a tough blow this week as guard Dante Exum reportedly suffered a serious injury to his right wrist during training camp. The news was first broken by Shams Charania of The Athletic, sending shockwaves through the Mavs fanbase.
Shortly after the report surfaced, the Mavericks’ PR team released a brief statement confirming that Exum had sustained the injury and would “continue to be evaluated with updates provided as appropriate.” However, the severity of the injury remains unclear, and there is no set timetable for his return at this time.
According to Charania, there is a possibility that Exum’s wrist injury could require surgery, which would extend his recovery time considerably. If surgery is needed, the veteran guard’s absence could be measured in months, potentially sidelining him for a large portion of the regular season.
The injury marks another setback for Exum, who has struggled with injuries since joining the Mavericks last year. He previously missed time with knee bursitis and a sprained plantar fascia in January and February, though this latest issue sounds more severe than either of his prior setbacks.
Exum had emerged as a fan favorite in Dallas, particularly after hitting a buzzer-beating, game-tying 3-pointer against Houston in April, which sent the game into overtime and resulted in a crucial win for the Mavs. Last season, he played in 55 games, averaging 7.8 points and 2.9 assists in nearly 20 minutes per game. His hustle and clutch performances, even earning him a spot in the starting lineup at times, had endeared him to the Mavericks’ faithful.
With Exum’s potential long-term absence, the Mavericks may have to rely more heavily on younger players like Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy to fill the void in the backcourt.
The injury news comes just days after the Mavs revealed that superstar Luka Dončić suffered a calf contusion during training camp. Fortunately, reports indicate that Luka’s injury is minor, and he is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season on October 24, when the Mavericks face the San Antonio Spurs.
For now, Mavs fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for Exum as the team prepares for what they hope will be a successful 2024-25 campaign.
