Moussa Cisse remains day-to-day with an ankle issue ahead of the Mavericks' season opener, after head coach Dusty May said the center sat out Thursday's practice only as a precaution. May added Cisse would have been able to play had there been a game that day, pointing toward his availability against Atlanta.
What happened
Moussa Cisse remains day-to-day with an ankle issue, according to the Mavericks' injury report filed Friday at 6:45 p.m. ET. His status is unchanged from the previous report. Head coach Dusty May said Cisse sat out Thursday's practice as a precaution, but added that the center "would've been able to play" if there had been a game that day, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports. The update comes hours before Dallas opens its season at home against Atlanta.
What it means for the Mavericks
Cisse's day-to-day tag points toward availability when Dallas opens its season at home against the Hawks on Friday at 8 p.m. ET. Last season he averaged 4.5 points and 5.7 rebounds in 13.9 minutes per game across 38 appearances, a reserve role behind the Mavericks' top bigs. If he sits, the frontcourt load falls on Anthony Davis (31.3 minutes, 20.4 points) and Daniel Gafford (21.7 minutes, 9.5 points), with P.J. Washington (31.0 minutes, 14.2 points) also in the mix. Dallas enters the night 0-0, since the 2026-27 season has not started.
What to watch
No expected return date has been announced for Cisse beyond his day-to-day tag, and the next injury report will come ahead of Dallas' following games. The Mavericks also list Max Christie (rest), Tarik Biberovic (right heel), Dereck Lively II (right foot), Jett Howard (illness) and Santi Aldama (knee) as day-to-day, all worth tracking as the team opens its season against the Hawks.
Is Moussa Cisse playing vs Hawks?
He is day-to-day with an ankle issue on Dallas' injury report. Head coach Dusty May said Cisse would have been able to play if there had been a game Thursday, pointing toward his availability against Atlanta.
When will Moussa Cisse be back?
An expected return date has not been announced. His status remains day-to-day.