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WHO: Dallas Mavericks vs. Orlando Magic
WHAT: Overcoming being shorthanded to get a winning record.
WHERE: American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. CT
HOW: Fox Sports Southwest, NBA League Pass
THE STORY: News broke Friday afternoon that Jalen Brunson, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Josh Richardson are undergoing NBA-mandated health and safety protocols for exposure to COVID-19. One of the players, we don’t know who, tested positive for it. The other two are quarantining. They are not with the team and remained in Denver after the Mavericks’ 124-117 overtime win against the Nuggets.
This leaves the Mavericks without three important players for tonight’s matchup with the Magic. Dallas does get guard Trey Burke back, head coach Rick Carlisle confirmed before the game.
Orlando is in worse shape than Dallas. According to the official injury report, the Magic are without Al-Farouq Aminu, Michael Carter Williams, Evan Fournier, Markelle Fultz, Jonathan Isaac, and Chuma Okeke.
With so many players sidelined, the game’s outcome might simply come down to whichever team is healthiest will win.