The Mavericks are prepared for Deron Williams to miss the rest of the season

On Wednesday night, Deron Williams will miss his seventh straight game with a sports hernia that worsened after he spent a month trying to play through it. While Williams has not been officially ruled out for the season -- or even the next game -- the Mavericks are prepared for the possibility that he doesn't return this season, per ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

Sports hernias develop in the groin area with vigorous athletic activity. To quote OrthoInfo.com: "A sports hernia will usually cause severe pain in the groin area at the time of the injury. The pain typically gets better with rest, but comes back when you return to sports activity, especially with twisting movements."

The injury can require surgery. In fact, New Orleans' Ryan Anderson was advised Wednesday to undergo surgery for the same injury. With the Mavericks continuing to push for a playoff berth, Williams is trying to avoid surgery, but it's certainly a possibility if the condition doesn't measurably improve.

For the time being, Dallas is surviving with renewed defensive focus and by J.J. Barea turning into a blindingly efficient shooter from behind the arc. However, with the team already missing Chandler Parsons for the season, there's obvious questions about how long the Mavericks can keep that up for the season's final five games.