Jones supplied 18 points (9-9 FG, 0-1 FT), seven rebounds, three blocks and one steal over 20 minutes before fouling out of Saturday's 135-104 loss to the Clippers.
With Daniel Gafford (knee) sitting out in the second leg of a back-to-back set and with head coach Jason Kidd pulling most of his key rotation players out of the game by the midway point of the fourth quarter in the blowout loss, Jones was the beneficiary of some extended playing time. He made the most of the extra run by delivering a perfect shooting performance from the field while contributing in the defensive categories, but Jones shouldn't be expected to provide much fantasy value over the final week of the regular season. The two-way player is eligible to suit up in just one of the team's final three games, though he could be available for all of those contests if Dallas upgrades him to a standard NBA deal when the team is first able to do so Thursday. Even if that's the case, Jones won't be guaranteed a spot in the rotation with Dereck Lively, Anthony Davis and Gafford expected to be available for all three of those contests and likely to handle nearly all of the minutes at center.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Shifting to bench
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Jones will come off the bench Monday night against the Nets, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Jones had started his team's last six matchups entering Monday, averaging 11.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks over this stretch, but he'll be deployed off the bench now that Daniel Gafford has been cleared to return. Gafford will be on a minutes limit in his first game back from a right MCL sprain, so there should still be opportunities for Jones to produce.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Strong two-way effort
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Jones closed Saturday's 120-119 victory over Chicago with 15 points (7-8 FG, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks and four steals in 31 minutes.
Jones delivered arguably the best two-way performance of his career, continuing to make a name for himself as the fill-in starter for the Mavericks. While his production has made a lot of people sit up and take notice, there is a chance his run could come to an abrupt end in the near future. Both Daniel Gafford (knee) and Dereck Lively (ankle) could return from their respective injuries at some point soon, meaning Jones could find himself on the outside looking when it comes to consistent center minutes.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Gets green light
Rotowire
Jones (hip) will play Saturday against the Bulls.
Jones was able to shake off a questionable tag for this contest. Over his last five games, Jones has averaged 10.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 0.8 blocks.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Questionable for Saturday
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Jones (hip) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Bulls.
Jones sustained the left hip contusion during Thursday's win over the Magic, and he played only seven minutes before exiting to the locker room. If the big man is sidelined Saturday, Anthony Davis (adductor) and Dwight Powell could shoulder the workload at center, especially if P.J. Washington (ankle) is sidelined.
Jones won't return to Thursday's matchup against the Magic due to a left hip contusion. He'll finish the game with four points (2-2 FG), five rebounds and one block across seven minutes.
The big man threw down an alley-oop dunk following a huge block, though he took a hard fall and walked back to the locker room before being ruled out shortly thereafter. Dwight Powell and Caleb Martin are candidates for an uptick in playing time due to Jones being sidelined.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Leaves for locker room Thursday
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Jones exited to the locker room after sustaining an apparent back injury during the first quarter of Thursday's game against the Magic, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.
Jones threw down an alley-oop dunk following a huge block, though he landed on his back and walked to the locker room under his own power. If the big man is unable to return, Dwight Powell and Caleb Martin are candidates for an uptick in playing time the rest of the way.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Nearly double-doubles
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Jones closed with 13 points (5-5 FG, 3-5 FT), nine rebounds and one steal across 28 minutes during Monday's 120-101 win over the Nets.
Despite the return of Anthony Davis, Jones remained in the starting center role and shared the frontcourt with Dallas' franchise player. That could be an indication of Dallas' plans going forward. Over his last three outings, Jones has been trending up with 13.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game.
Mavericks' Kai Jones: Posts double-double in return
Rotowire
Jones (quadricep) supplied 18 points (8-9 FG, 2-2 FT), 11 rebounds and one assist across 24 minutes during Wednesday's 135-131 loss to the Pacers.
Back in action after missing Dallas' previous seven games due to a left quad strain, Jones entered the starting five for a banged-up Mavericks squad that had just eight players available for the contest. He came through with an elite shooting performance, and Jones could be headed for heavy minutes in the frontcourt for the rest of the season. With Kessler Edwards eligible to be active for just one more game and with Dereck Lively (ankle), Anthony Davis (adductor) and Daniel Gafford (knee) facing uncertain timelines to return, Jones should be in line for plenty of run, making him worthy of a look for fantasy managers in need of help in the points, rebounds, blocks and field-goal percentage categories.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Making first NBA start Wednesday
Rotowire
Jones is in the Mavericks' starting lineup against the Pacers on Wednesday, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Jones will make the first start of his NBA career Wednesday due to the Mavericks being short-handed by injuries. Jones has fully recovered from a left quadriceps strain that kept him sidelined for Dallas' last seven games. His last appearance was March 3 against the Kings, when he tallied 21 points, eight rebounds and one block over 34 minutes.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Listed available Wednesday
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Jones (quadriceps) is available for Wednesday's game against the Pacers.
A left quad strain cost Jones seven straight games, but the 2021 first-rounder will be available Wednesday to reinforce a depleted Mavericks frontcourt. Jones could be facing a minutes restriction in his return against Indiana, but he impressed with 21 points, eight rebounds and one block during 34 minutes in his lone appearance for the Mavericks this season back during the March 3 loss to the Kings.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Questionable to play Wednesday
Rotowire
Jones (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Wednesday's game against the Pacers.
Jones is in jeopardy of missing his eighth consecutive contest due to a left quad strain. If the two-way big man remains on the shelf, Kessler Edwards and Dwight Powell should continue to shoulder the workload at center.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Iffy for Sunday
Rotowire
Jones (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus the 76ers.
Jones is in danger of missing his seventh straight contest Sunday due to a left quadriceps strain. If Jones is ultimately downgraded to out, Kessler Edwards should continue to receive increased playing time.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Ruled out Friday
Rotowire
Jones (quadriceps) won't play in Friday's game versus the Rockets.
Jones will miss his sixth straight contest Friday after being downgraded from questionable to out due to a left quadriceps strain. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Philadelphia.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Won't go Sunday
Rotowire
Jones (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Philadelphia, Christian Clark of The Athletic reports.
Jones will miss his seventh consecutive contest due to a left quadriceps strain. His next chance to play will come Wednesday against Indiana. Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards will likely shoulder the workload at center due to Jones being sidelined.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Iffy to play Friday
Rotowire
Jones (quadriceps) is listed as questionable for Friday's game against the Rockets.
Jones is in jeopardy of missing a sixth consecutive game due to a left quadriceps strain. His lone appearance with the Mavericks came March 3, when he finished with 21 points, eight rebounds and one block over 34 minutes. Kessler Edwards and Dwight Powell will see more minutes at center due to Jones' absence.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Not playing Wednesday
Rotowire
Jones (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Spurs.
Wednesday will be the fifth game in a row that Jones will be sidelined for due to a left quadriceps strain, and his next chance to see the floor is Friday against Houston. Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards will continue to serve as the Mavericks' centers due to Jones' absence.
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Mavericks' Kai Jones: Out against San Antonio
Rotowire
Jones (quadriceps) will not play Monday against the Spurs.
Jones will be sidelined for a fourth straight game, and it's unclear when he'll be able to return to the lineup. Dwight Powell and Kessler Edwards could see more minutes in the short term as a result.
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