Santi Aldama has been ruled out for Friday's game at Indiana with a knee issue, a downgrade from day-to-day. Dallas will be without him again as it looks for its first win after an 0-1 start.
What happened
Santi Aldama has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers. The injury report moved his status to Out at 4:39 p.m. ET on Thursday, Oct. 22, with a knee issue. He had been listed as day-to-day on Wednesday. The report's comment reads: "Aldama (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's game against the Pacers." His status has now changed three times this week. He was ruled out on Tuesday, Oct. 20, upgraded to day-to-day on Wednesday, and downgraded again Thursday. The knee first appeared on the report on Sept. 6, listed as his right knee.
What it means for the Mavericks
Dallas plays at Indiana on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. ET. The Mavericks are 0-1, ninth in the standings, and Aldama did not play in the loss. Last season he averaged 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 27.9 minutes over 43 games. Without him, Cooper Flagg played 32.9 minutes and scored 32 points. P.J. Washington logged 30.6 minutes, Naji Marshall 28.7 and Max Christie 28.5. Marcus Sasser scored 17 points in 23.7 minutes, and Daniel Gafford played 21.5. Dallas has others on the report too. Dereck Lively II (right foot), Caleb Martin (right thumb) and Tarik Biberovic (right heel) are out, and Jett Howard is day-to-day with a right calf issue.
What to watch
The injury report lists an expected return date of Saturday, Oct. 24. No timeline beyond that has been announced. Watch whether his status moves back to day-to-day, as it did on Wednesday after he was first ruled out on Tuesday. The team has not said who will take his minutes in Indiana. Washington, Gafford and the rest of the group that played in the opener are the likely candidates.
Is Santi Aldama playing at the Pacers on Friday, Oct. 23?
No. The injury report lists him as Out for Friday's game at Indiana because of a knee issue.
When will Santi Aldama be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Saturday, Oct. 24. No other timeline has been announced.