Caleb Martin Cleared With Thumb Splint As Mavericks Host Unbeaten Rockets In NBA Cup

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks have listed Caleb Martin as available with a right thumb splint for Friday’s game against the Houston Rockets at American Airlines Center. Naji Marshall (illness) is questionable.

Santi Aldama (right knee surgery) and Tarik Biberović (right heel bursitis) are doubtful. Dallas ruled out Sergio De Larrea (right knee sprain) and Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery). Kyrie Irving, who was questionable Wednesday with left knee injury management, is not on the report.

The Mavericks are 3-2 after handing the Oklahoma City Thunder their first loss, 120-96, on Wednesday. Cooper Flagg had 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists. Dallas’ bench outscored Oklahoma City’s 43-19. Friday’s game, the second of three straight at home, is part of NBA Cup group play.

Caleb Martin Available, Naji Marshall Questionable

Martin played his first game of the season Wednesday after missing four games with a right thumb sprain. He scored 10 points in 13:49 on 4-of-6 shooting, including 2-of-4 from 3-point range. Dallas outscored the Thunder by 8 points with him on the floor.

Mavericks coach Dusty May said after the game that Martin had been in a shooting funk before he got hurt, and that the time off let him stop thinking and play more freely.

“Other than he lost a little bit of confidence in his shooting, he’s always performed well when he wasn’t trying to do too much. He deserves this,” May said. “If we’re winning games this year, he’ll have a big part of that. He’s got a real presence in our locker room. He’s got respect within our team. Man, what a great guy to coach.”

Marshall has missed two straight games with the illness, including Monday’s 113-109 win over the Miami Heat. He did not play Wednesday after being downgraded to doubtful. Across Dallas’ first three games, he averaged 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists.

Santi Aldama And Tarik Biberović Doubtful, Sergio De Larrea Out

Aldama is doubtful for the second straight game. The Mavericks assigned him to the Texas Legends on Tuesday to practice as part of his return-to-play protocol. He scrimmaged with the G League affiliate and was recalled the same day. Dallas downgraded him to out before Wednesday’s game.

Aldama had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on March 17, while he was still with the Memphis Grizzlies. He has not played since Feb. 4. Dallas acquired him in a July 8 trade. In 43 games last season, he averaged career highs of 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.

Biberović is still waiting on his NBA debut. His last game action came off the bench in the Oct. 11 preseason win over Houston in Macao. The heel bursitis has kept him out since the preseason finale.

De Larrea hurt his right knee in the second quarter Monday in Miami while trying to corral an inbound pass. He did not return. Two days earlier, he scored 21 points on 9-of-15 shooting against the San Antonio Spurs. Friday will be the second straight game he has missed with the sprain.

Lively has not played since Nov. 21, 2025. He appeared in seven games last season. His season-ending surgery that December was the third operation on his right foot within a calendar year.

Houston has listed Alperen Şengün (low back soreness) and Marcus Smart (left forearm strain) as questionable. The Rockets ruled out Reed Sheppard (low back soreness) and Steven Adams (right soleus strain). Houston is 5-0. The Rockets beat Dallas 128-110 in the Oct. 21 season opener at Toyota Center, where Flagg scored 32 points.

Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center. Dallas hosts the Sacramento Kings on Monday to close the homestand.