Barea injured with Mavs battling for playoff spot
DALLAS — Add another major contributor to the Dallas Mavericks‘ injury list.
Point guard J.J. Barea, who had been the surprising star of the Mavs’ season-saving winning streak, exited in the first half of Friday’s 103-93 win over the Memphis Grizzlies due to a strained right groin.
Barea originally injured the groin midway through the first quarter. He briefly returned during the second quarter but was obviously hampered and quickly removed from the game and ruled out for the night.
“Hopefully not serious, but we don’t know a timetable,” coach Rick Carlisle said.
Barea was not available after the game, leaving the arena after receiving treatment during the second half.
Guard Raymond Felton, who filled the void with an 11-point, 14-assist performance against the Grizzlies, said he does not expect Barea to play in Sunday’s road game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Barea led the Mavs in scoring and assists in each of the previous five games, all victories, averaging 24.2 points and 7 assists during that span. He was named the Western Conference player of the week, a first for the 10-year veteran.
That leaves the Mavs, who are one win or a Houston Rockets loss away from clinching a playoff spot with three games to play, without their top two point guards and top three offensive creators.
Starting point guard Deron Williams is out indefinitely due to a sports hernia. Forward Chandler Parsons is out for the season after undergoing knee surgery.
