The Mavericks moved Caleb Martin from out to day-to-day after he missed the season opener against the Rockets with a sprained right thumb. The injury report lists Friday, Oct. 23, as his expected return, which is the day Dallas plays at Indiana.
What happened
Caleb Martin was upgraded to day-to-day on the injury report late Wednesday, at 11:58 p.m. ET. The 31-year-old forward had been listed as out since Tuesday with a right thumb injury. According to the report, Martin was out for Wednesday's season opener against the Rockets with a sprained right thumb. The report lists his expected return as Oct. 23. This is his second time on the report this month. He was listed day-to-day with an illness on Oct. 9 and was cleared on Oct. 11.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas plays at Indiana on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. ET. The Mavericks are 0-1 and hold the 12th seed after losing the opener without Martin. Last season he played 58 games and averaged 3.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 14.8 minutes, so he fills bench minutes on the wing. Who takes those minutes has not been settled yet. The forward group is also thin. Santi Aldama (knee), Jett Howard (calf) and Tarik Biberovic (heel) are all day-to-day, and Dereck Lively II is out with a right foot injury.
What to watch
The next injury report before Friday's game at Indiana will show whether Martin is cleared. The report lists Oct. 23 as his expected return, but the team has not confirmed that he will play. A day-to-day player can still be ruled out close to tip-off. Watch the status of Aldama, Howard and Biberovic as well. Their availability will decide how much Dallas needs Martin back on Friday.
Is Caleb Martin playing at the Pacers on Friday, Oct. 23?
He is day-to-day with a sprained right thumb, and the injury report lists Oct. 23 as his expected return. A final decision on Friday's game has not been announced.
When will Caleb Martin be back?
The injury report lists Oct. 23 as his expected return. That is the day Dallas plays at Indiana. He has not been officially cleared.