The Dallas Mavericks were on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder on New Year’s Eve. Oddly, it was the third straight year they played them over the holiday. The Mavs were missing two of their starters for that contest.
Tim Hardaway Jr. was ruled out well in advance of tipoff. He suffered a hamstring injury on Dec. 29. There was some optimism surrounding the injury, but THJ was forced to miss Tuesday’s game. Kristaps Porzingis was scratched just minutes before the start with knee soreness as well.