Mavericks rule out Lively, Aldama, Sasser and Jett Howard vs. Pelicans; Flagg and Irving rest

The Dallas Mavericks ruled out Dereck Lively II, Santi Aldama, Marcus Sasser and Jett Howard for Wednesday’s preseason home game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Hoops Journal’s Grant Afseth reported. Lively is out with his right foot, Aldama with his right knee, Sasser with left adductor soreness and Howard with an illness.

Dallas is also resting several regulars. Cooper Flagg, Kyrie Irving, Daniel Gafford and rookie Morez Johnson Jr. will not play, The Dallas Morning News’ Mike Curtis reported. Johnson has dealt with a minor lower-leg issue in camp, but Wednesday’s absence is listed as rest.

Lively still working through return-to-play

Lively had season-ending surgery on his right foot in December after playing just seven regular-season games in 2025-26. Mavericks president Masai Ujiri has said Lively has progressed to shooting and is working toward running on the court, and coach Dusty May has described a return-to-play protocol built around how much time the center has missed in recent seasons. Lively’s deadline to sign a rookie-scale extension is Monday, Oct. 19.

Aldama and Sasser still waiting to debut

Aldama, acquired from Memphis in July, has not played for Dallas since an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee in March. He was doing calf raises at Wednesday morning’s shootaround, but the team kept him out again. Sasser sat both games in Macao with the adductor soreness and was on the floor at shootaround working on jumpers, yet this is his third straight missed exhibition.

Howard, on a two-way contract with Dallas after signing in July, is the only new name on the list, and illness is the only reason given.

What comes next

Dallas split its two games in Macao and has two more exhibitions after Wednesday, which leaves little time for Aldama and Sasser to get game minutes before opening night. On the New Orleans side, Dejounte Murray has been listed day-to-day with a right toe issue.