Russell posted 24 points (8-18 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), five rebounds, six assists and three steals over 29 minutes during Sunday's 139-129 victory over the Raptors.

Russell got off to a horrendous start, bricking his first seven shot attempts, but after drilling a buzzer-beating triple midway through the second quarter, he was able to find his rhythm and turn things around. Russell had been a negligible part of the rotation through the first two games of the season, but he logged major minutes Sunday and was in the closing lineup in the win, which hints he's curried some favor with head coach Jason Kidd. It'll be interesting to see what his minutes look like Monday against the Thunder.

Flagg ended Sunday's 139-129 victory over the Raptors with 22 points (8-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), four rebounds, four assists and one block across 29 minutes.

Flagg was undeniably disappointing in Dallas' season opener, but he's done a great job of turning things around over the past two games. Like with all rookies, Flagg will struggle with efficiency and turnovers will likely be a consistent issue, but he has all the tools and is likely to be playing his best basketball during the most critical juncture in the fantasy seasons.

Gafford (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.

Gafford, who entered Sunday listed as doubtful while managing a sprained right ankle, will officially miss his third straight game to start the season. His next opportunity to return will come Monday against the Thunder, with Dereck Lively set to continue handling the bulk of the center minutes in Gafford's absence.

Exum (knee) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.

Exum continues to deal with a knee issue, which will keep him sidelined for another game. The next chance for the Australian product to make his season debut will be Monday against the Thunder.

Williams (personal) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Raptors.

Williams will miss Sunday's contest due to personal reasons, and his next opportunity to suit up will come Monday against the Thunder. With the 25-year-old point guard sidelined, D'Angelo Russell and Ryan Nembhard are candidates for an uptick in playing time.

Gafford (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Raptors.

Gafford is likely to miss his third consecutive game to start the season due to a sprained right ankle. If the big man remains sidelined, Dereck Lively and Dwight Powell are candidates for a bump in minutes.

Gafford (ankle) is questionable to play in Sunday's game against the Raptors, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gafford has yet to play a game this season, as he continues to nurse an ankle injury. If he is unable to play for a third straight game, the team will likely continue to lean on Dereck Lively in the frontcourt.

Washington supplied 18 points (8-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 0-1 FT), nine rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals over 39 minutes during Friday's 117-107 loss to the Wizards.

The veteran forward fell one board short of his first double-double of the season. Washington will be counted on to fill a supporting role for theMavericks this season behind Anthony Davis and rookie phenom Cooper Flagg, and eventually Kyrie Irving (knee), and so far the former Hornet has done his part, averaging 17.5 points and 7.0 rebounds through two games with two steals, two blocks and four made threes.

Flagg ended Friday's 117-107 loss to the Wizards with 18 points (6-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), five rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal in 35 minutes.

The top pick in the 2025 Draft nearly led aMavericks comeback, scoring nine straight points for his squad during a three-minute stretch in the fourth quarter, but Flagg then committed a couple of turnovers to cut the momentum short. Growing pains have to be expected for an 18-year-old in the NBA despite the hype surrounding him, but Flagg has mostly been as advertised through two games, showing the ability to drive the offense and contribute across the board.

Davis ended Friday's 117-107 loss to the Wizards with 27 points (9-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 9-12 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and two steals in 38 minutes.

Despite the strong numbers in the box score, Davis' performance was erratic when it mattered. He missed a couple late free throws while the outcome was still in doubt and then coughed up the ball on a bad pass to Cooper Flagg, finishing with five turnovers in total. Davis has begun the 2025-26 season with back-to-back double-doubles, pulling down 13 boards each time, and staying healthy will be the veteran big man's biggest challenge.

Davis notched 27 points (9-19 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 9-12 FT), 13 rebounds, four assists, two steals, two blocks and five turnovers in 38 minutes during Friday's 117-107 loss to the Wizards.

That's two straight double-doubles for Davis to open the year, but it's also been two consecutive losses for theMavericks. There's no question about Davis' ability to stuff the stat sheet, but managers will hope the losses don't become a frequent thing this season, as that would heighten the chance of an early-season shutdown for the oft-injured big man. The Mavs will look to right the ship Sunday against the Raptors.

Gafford (ankle) is out for Friday's game against the Wizards.

After sitting out the morning shootaround, Gafford has been ruled out for a second straight game to open the season. The big man's next chance to play comes Sunday against the Raptors. With Gafford sidelined, Dereck Lively is locked in as theMavericks' top center in a soft matchup against Washington.

Gafford (ankle) did not participate in shootaround Friday, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.

Gafford was walking around the practice in street clothes and tennis shoes, and that doesn't bode well for his status against the Wizards. He's listed as questionable on the injury report, which suggests that he's day-to-day, but it looks like theMavericks will exercise caution once again.

Exum (knee) won't play in Friday's game against the Wizards.

Exum hasn't practiced since early in training camp due to a knee problem. The veteran guard holds no clear timeline for a return ahead and can be labeled out indefinitely until theMavericks offer another update on his status.

Gafford (ankle) is questionable to play in Friday's game against the Wizards, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Gafford is in danger of missing a second straight game to start the 2025-26 campaign. He continues to deal with an ankle issue, but appears to be trending in the right direction.