DALLAS — Despite adding another name to their list of piling injuries Wednesday night in Boston before eventually falling to a hard-fought 90-83 loss on the road, the Dallas Mavericks returned home with a bit of encouragement as they prepare to face a Southwest Division opponent on Friday.
Already playing without 13-time All-Star Dirk Nowitzki (right Achilles soreness) and veteran reserve Devin Harris (right great toe sprain), the Mavericks (2-8) thought they’d receive a boost by the return of starting point guard Deron Williams to the lineup following a four-game absence with a left calf strain. Instead, the Mavericks would see Williams exit the game in the first half after experiencing tightness in his aching calf during his return, forcing the three-time All-Star lead guard to the bench as his team battled without him.