Mavs take cautious approach with Matthews


It could be until Christmas before Matthews makes it onto the court. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
It could be until Christmas before Matthews makes it onto the court. Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Mavericks might have to wait for guard Wesley Matthews to make his debut with the team while he recovers from a torn Achilles.

Mavs signed Matthews in the offseason knowing that his recovery would be slow from the injury sustained in March while playing for the Portland Trail Blazers. It could be until Christmas before Matthews makes it onto the court.

Dallas enters training camp with big man Chandler Parsons also dealing with an injury, but Parsons might be recovered in time to open the NBA season.

“Well, I would say that there’s a chance that Parsons could play in the (season) opener,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “Wes is going to take a little longer. He’s not going to want to tell you that and we’re going to have to fight to keep him off the court, but we’ve got to make sure we do this the right way.”

Carlisle said “it’s a definite maybe” that Matthews might be able to play by Christmas.

“It could be sooner,” Carlisle said. “It’s hard to say. His court activity has been ramped up some. He will participate in certain aspects of training camp, but nothing live to start with.”

Without Matthews, John Jenkins is the only available shooting guard on the Mavericks’ roster. Matthews’ absence could necessitate lineups with two point guards, or small forward Justin Anderson could slide down into the spot.

Matthews is shooting to return well before Christmas.

“I’m trying to be ready for opening day,” he said. “I can’t control if I’m playing or not, but my goal is to be ready. I’m not one to hold myself back for anything. We’re doing this the right way. I just want to put myself in a position to be ready.”