Mavericks dispute Redick’s claim they erred with Reaves’ MRI

LOS ANGELES — The Dallas Mavericks disputed Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick’s claim that their medical group examined the unsuitable a part of Austin Reaves‘ physique when the Lakers guard obtained an MRI by the Mavs’ employees over the weekend.

“Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time,” the Mavericks mentioned in an announcement first issued to DLLS Sports on Tuesday and later supplied to ESPN. “There was no error in the scan performed.”

Redick, following the Lakers’ observe on Southern Methodist University’s campus Saturday in Dallas, mentioned Reaves required two MRIs to diagnose a Grade 2 left indirect pressure and faulted the Mavs for his or her execution of the preliminary scan.

“I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area,” Redick mentioned. “SW [the mistake was] not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area.”

A Lakers declined to remark Tuesday when requested by ESPN concerning the chain of occasions surrounding the MRI.

Redick modified his tone when requested to elucidate the reasoning for his accusation earlier than LA performed the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.

“In the end, we got the image we needed,” Redick mentioned. “And obviously very appreciative, because it’s happened throughout the season whenever the home team is accommodating to us, just like we would be for them. And we’re going to move on.”

Reaves suffered the damage within the first half of the Lakers’ 139-96 misplaced to the Thunder final Thursday and returned to the sport, ending with a team-high 15 factors in 27 minutes.

Although the Lakers introduced no timetable for Reaves’ return apart from ruling the fifth-year veteran out for the rest of the common season, sources advised ESPN’s Shams Charania that Reaves is predicted to overlook 4 to 6 weeks.

LA (50-28) is at present No. 4 within the Western Conference with 4 video games remaining. The Lakers path the No. 3 Denver Nuggets by a half-game however maintain the tiebreaker over Denver by successful the season collection.

The Lakers host the Thunder on Tuesday, then play a back-to-back on the street in opposition to Golden State Warriors on Thursday and at dwelling in opposition to the Phoenix Suns on Friday earlier than closing out the regular-season schedule at dwelling in opposition to the Utah Jazz on Sunday.