While flourishing in pickup games, Green anxious to play in real games

Josh Green sprained his right elbow during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 9. He hasn't been cleared by the Mavs' medical staff to play in an NBA game yet. Green is playing pickup games to get back in game shape. The third-year guard is eager to join his teammates for a match. The Mavericks are 10-7 and on a five-game road trip. They lost to Oklahoma City and Los Angeles Clippers in the opening two games. It's tough to watch from the bench. For Green, it's more important to be out there. His first two seasons he played mainly as a spectator.

Lakers forward LeBron James is on the verge of becoming the NBA's all-time leading scorer. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finished his stellar career with 38,387 points, while James has 37,965. Jason Kidd played against James from 2003-13 and coached against him from 2013-present. Kidd won an Olympic gold medal with James in 2008 at the games in Beijing. Kidd was an assistant coach for the Lakers when he and James won theNBA title in 2020.

Dwight Powell is questionable for Thursday's game against the Lakers. Dorian Finney-Smith is also injured. The Mavs beat the Heat in the 2011 title game. Jason Kidd was an assistant on Frank Vogel's staff from 2019-21. The team needs to improve on the four-on-three and spacing. Luka Doncic needs more protection. Los Angeles Clippers and the Mavericks lost to each other on Christmas. Frank Vohel coached the Lakers to a championship in 2020. He was also an Mava's assistant coach.