The Mavericks forward moved from day-to-day to cleared on Saturday's injury report. He is available for the 8:00 PM ET game against the Spurs.
What happened
Morez Johnson Jr. is cleared. The injury report posted Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6:50 PM ET moved the 20-year-old forward from day-to-day to cleared. The report gave no detail and no comment with the change. Earlier Saturday he was listed day-to-day with a right lower leg issue. It is the latest move in a fall of short listings. He was day-to-day with a lower leg issue on Sept. 30, cleared Oct. 8, day-to-day for rest Oct. 11 and cleared Oct. 16.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas hosts the Spurs on Saturday at 8:00 PM ET. The Mavericks are 1-1, ninth in the standings, and carry a one-game winning streak. Johnson has played in both games, averaging 15.3 minutes, 7.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists. Dallas is 1-1 with him and has not played a game without him. The injury list is long. Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg, Caleb Martin, Jett Howard, Tarik Biberovic, Dereck Lively II and Santi Aldama are out. Max Christie and Zaccharie Risacher are day-to-day. Christie (33.2 minutes), P.J. Washington (31.9) and Naji Marshall (31.0) lead the rotation in minutes.
What to watch
The Spurs game is the first test of his availability, and his minutes against the 15.3 he has averaged will show how much Dallas leans on him. The status of Christie and Risacher, both day-to-day, also bears on the rotation. Johnson's recent listings have changed quickly, so the next injury report is worth checking. No further games beyond the Spurs are in view, and no return timeline is needed because he is cleared.
Is Morez Johnson Jr. playing vs the Spurs?
He is cleared. The injury report posted Saturday, Oct. 24, at 6:50 PM ET lists him as cleared, up from day-to-day, ahead of the 8:00 PM ET game against the Spurs.
When will Morez Johnson Jr. be back?
He does not have a return date because he is cleared and available. The report gave no detail on the earlier right lower leg issue and no expected return.