The Dallas Mavericks are dealing with a few injuries as the season gets closer that could filter into the regular season. Three of their starters are unsure to be playing in the season opener due to different injuries but the one that seems least likely is Chandler Parsons. Parsons is recovering from knee surgery and although he is making progress it is being reported that he is likely to sit out the first two games for Dallas, according to Chuck Cooperstein of the Mavericks radio broadcast.
Parsons underwent micro fracture surgery on his right knee in the beginning of May and has been rehabbing the injury since. He got back on the floor to practice recently but he realizes that playing in the season opener is unlikely despite the fact that he has stated that as his goal all offseason.
"That was always my goal to be out there opening night. I hate missing practices, let alone games. I'll keep doing whatever they say. I got to listen to them. But I don't see Wednesday happening," said Parsons, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.
While Parsons is still holding out some sort of hope for the opener it is doubtful at best and reports are saying that he is likely to miss at least the first two games. The hope, and more realistic expectation, is that Parsons can get back for the Mavericks third game which is on Sunday November 1st against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The good news from this situation is that although Parsons will likely miss the first couple of games he is not far from returning and the Mavericks seem to be getting relatively healthy at the right time. Deron Williams made it back for Dallas' final preseason game after dealing with a calf injury and he should be fine for the season opener and Wesley Matthews recovered very quickly from a torn Achilles and also appears on track for the regular season opener.
Parsons will be the last of the three to make it back and they need him as soon as possible as the Western Conference should be extremely tough which will make every single game crucial. Parsons, Matthews and Williams are expected to be the main guys for Dallas so having them healthy is of paramount importance. Williams and Matthews seem to be there while Parsons is just a little bit behind.
