One step forward, one step straight into a wall: that’s been the Mavs’ whole 4–12 vibe. The lone ray of sunshine? No.1 pick Cooper Flagg, who missed a game but finally returns tonight against the Pelicans in their NBA Cup clash. But because this team can’t have nice things, D’Angelo Russell , a late, very unwelcome addition to the injury report, just got stamped into the dreaded OUT column.

Underdog NBA dropped the update: “ D’Angelo Russell (illness) ruled out Friday.” With him out, the Mavs will likely hand extra minutes to Jaden Hardy and Brandon Williams. As for Russell, go ahead and pencil him in as a big, wobbly “questionable” for Saturday’s matchup with the Grizzlies.

Russell’s been bouncing around the injury report lately. He was listed as questionable earlier. It hasn’t b

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