Tobi Lawal's rookie minutes swing from zero to 23 as Mavericks sort frontcourt
Tobi Lawal is in his first NBA season after four years at Virginia Tech, wearing No. 33 for Dallas. The forward has played in all four games so far, with his role shifting game to game. He is not on the injury report.
By the Mavericks Nightly Desk · updated 3 d ago01The story of the nightA rookie finding his footingLawal has been up and down through Dallas's first four games.
Lawal has been up and down through Dallas's first four games. He scored 16 points in 23.5 minutes against New Orleans on Oct. 14, his biggest workload of the young season. Two games later, against Atlanta on Oct. 16, he played just 9.5 minutes and was scoreless with one rebound. In between, he had a 13-point night against Houston on Oct. 9 and a quieter 5-point, 5-rebound game against Houston on Oct. 11 in a win.
02Health and outlookLawal is not on the injury report and has no injury history listed, so health has not been the issue behind his…
Lawal is not on the injury report and has no injury history listed, so health has not been the issue behind his swinging minutes. At 6-7 and 215 pounds, he is logging time at forward as part of Dallas's rotation mix. The Mavericks have split their first four games, with Lawal contributing in both wins and losses. His minutes have ranged from 9.4 to 23.5, suggesting the coaching staff is still settling on his exact role.
