Following what ended up being a fun contest between two teams dealing with major injuries, the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks find themselves face to face once again tonight. The aforementioned injuries are well documented at this point, but these interstate rivals are still competing hard even though the results aren’t always Ws. For the Spurs it is mainly about getting through the rest of the season unscathed, but with the franchise’s biggest offseason in years fast approaching, there’s surely an “audition,” element at play as well. Some guys have underperformed at various points this season, and San Antonio will have a lot to consider as they look to take their next steps in the Victor Wembanyama era. For some, these final 19 games could mean everything.

San Antonio Spurs (26-37) vs Dallas Mavericks (33-33)

March 12 2025 | 7:00 PM CT

Watch: FDSS | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)

Spurs Injuries: Victor Wembanyama, OUT, Devin Vassell, wrist (questionable), Jeremy Sochan, knee (OUT), Charles Bassey, knee (OUT)

Mavericks Injuries: Daniel Gafford, Anthony Davis, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, PJ Washington, Kai Jones, Jaden Hardy, all OUT, Brandon Williams, hamstring (day to day), Dante Exum, questionable

What to watch for

• Keldon Johnson was part of a trio of 20-point scorers in the meeting on Monday night, finishing with 28 points and 5 rebounds. 3 of those rebounds came on the offensive end in heavy traffic, leading to an impressive and-one in the process. A super efficient 4/6 showing from downtown helped his cause on top of his usual bully ball tactics.
• One has to wonder just how much trouble that broken finger is giving De’Aaron Fox. He’s definitely struggled since coming to San Antonio, but things went south almost immediately upon his arrival in regards to the Victor Wembanyama injury. In a game the Spurs lost by just 4 points though, after coming into the period tied with Dallas, they need Fox to be that dominant 4th quarter scorer that he’s built his reputation on these last few years. With or without Victor Wembanyama.
• Being a lead man is definitely not what Klay Thompson had in mind when he chose Dallas this offseason, but here he is anyway. With Dallas dressing only 8 players due to injuries, Thompson has found himself the focal point of defenses recently. He shot the lights out from the field Monday night, going 8/14 from the floor and chipping in 28 points. Averaging just under 15 a game this season, it’s the 3rd time in his last four games that he’s eclipsed the 20 point mark.

• Spencer Dinwiddie led Dallas with 28 points off the bench. At one point of his career, he was a very willing shooter and capable scorer. Recently though, even with the injuries, he’s been reluctant to shoot the ball His 16 field goal attempts Monday night were his most since February 10th, while the 28 points were his most since scoring 28 against OKC back in late January. Dinwiddie has only broken double digit shot attempts 7 times since the beginning of February.

For the Maverick fan’s perspective, please visit Mavs Moneyball.

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The Cowboys are making moves in free agency, agreeing to terms with defensive end Payton Turner on a one-year deal, as reported by NBC Sports on March 11. The ink’s barely dry on this $3 million contract-$2 million of it guaranteed-and it’s already got fans talking. After a rollercoaster stint with the New Orleans Saints, Turner’s bringing his talents to Big D, and this could be a sneaky-good pickup for a team looking to bolster its defensive line.

Turner, a 26-year-old Houston alum, was a first-round pick (28th overall) by the Saints in the 2021 NFL Draft. His rookie contract-four years, $12.5 million-wrapped up last season, and New Orleans declined his fifth-year option, setting him loose as an unrestricted free agent. Injuries plagued his early years-foot, shoulder, calf, you name it-limiting him to just 31 games over four seasons. But 2024 was his healthiest yet, with 16 appearances, 21 tackles, two sacks, and a career-high four pass deflections.”He’s got the tools,” a Cowboys scout told NFL Media. “We’re betting on that upside.”

So, why Dallas? The Cowboys already have stars like Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, but depth’s been a quiet concern-especially after losing Dorance Armstrong to the Commanders last year. Turner’s not here to start-he’s never done that in a regular-season game-but he’s a rotational piece with potential.

At 6-foot-6 and 270 pounds, he’s got the frame to disrupt, and his 31% defensive snap share in 2024 with the Saints shows he can handle a workload. Plus, that 53% special teams usage? That’s gold for a squad that values versatility.

Free agency move explained

The deal’s a low-risk, high-reward move for Jerry Jones and crew. At $3 million, with $2 million locked in, it’s a prove-it contract-Turner gets a fresh start, and Dallas gets a former first-rounder at a bargain.

“We’ve done more in free agency already than all of 2024,” an NBC Sports analyst quipped, nodding to Dallas’ early activity, like snagging RB Javonte Williams too. Turner’s five career sacks and 11 QB hits might not scream superstar, but he could thrive as a situational rusher.

Cowboys fans are already dreaming of Turner chasing quarterbacks behind Parsons’ chaos. Will he finally shake the injury bug? Can he carve out a bigger role? This signing’s got all the makings of a sleeper hit-let’s see if “PT” can turn potential into production in that star-studded helmet.