RETURNS (major positive developments):
Daniel Gafford — ✅ CLEARED / OFF INJURY REPORT. Gafford exited Tuesday's 123-99 loss at Milwaukee with a right shoulder stinger and did not return, arm immobilized. Coach Kidd said postgame "he's hurt." Thursday practice update was positive; he did not appear on the official injury report, confirming availability. Leads team in blocks (1.2 pg), shoots 65.7% from field — critical interior presence against Paolo Banchero. (Dallas Hoops Journal)
Naji Marshall — ✅ OFF INJURY REPORT. Missed last two games (vs. MIN 3/30, vs. MIL 3/31) with illness. Confirmed fully cleared for Friday. Averaging 15.5 pts, 4.7 reb, 3.3 ast in 71 games; 20.9 pts/5.0 ast in last 7 games. (NBA.com; RotoWire; ESPN)
Klay Thompson — ✅ AVAILABLE. Sat out Tuesday's Milwaukee game for rest. Now back in the rotation; averaging 11.7 pts across 65 games, leads team with 2.9 threes per game (14th NBA). (Dallas Hoops Journal)
UNCHANGED DOUBTFULS (status confirmed, no upgrade):
Two-way depth: John Poulakidas and Tyler Smith both listed as probable; Moussa Cissé questionable.
| Market | Current Line | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Magic -6.5 to -7.0 (Dallas +6.5/+7) | 95.7 WDAE / Covers/DraftKings |
| Moneyline | Dallas +220 (Caesars); Magic -271 | Covers / 95.7 WDAE |
| Total | 238.5–239.5 (lean Under per multiple models) | Covers / 95.7 WDAE |
Line movement note: The spread shows a split across books (-6.5 on iHeart/WDAE vs. -7.0 on Covers/Bleacher Nation as of game day). Their March 5 meeting had Magic -7.5 on open; the current line reflects a ~0.5–1pt move toward Dallas, likely tied to today's confirmed returns of Gafford, Marshall, and Thompson. No clear evidence of sharp one-directional movement identified — line has stabilized in the -6.5 to -7 band.
Dallas gets back three meaningful contributors (Gafford, Marshall, Thompson) who all missed Tuesday's blowout loss, but three rotation forwards (Washington, Bagley, Martin) remain doubtful. This is a meaningfully healthier Mavericks squad than what played Tuesday — factored into the half-point line dip.
The most significant development since the early research run: Franz Wagner (left high ankle sprain) made his return on Wednesday (Apr 2) vs. Atlanta after missing the previous 22 games and is now fully off the injury report for tonight's game in Dallas. He played 20 restricted minutes in the blowout loss to Atlanta, posting 12 points (5-of-13 FG, 0-of-6 from three) in a cautious return. Wagner himself acknowledged the rust: "I feel alright. It's definitely an adjustment and it's going to be part of the process." He is expected to be in the starting lineup tonight alongside Paolo Banchero (Orlando Sentinel, Apr 2).
Franz Wagner — Paolo Banchero — Wendell Carter Jr. — Desmond Bane — Jalen Suggs
Orlando is playing the second game of a back-to-back road stretch (lost 130-101 at home to Atlanta on Wednesday), arriving in Dallas with a 2-8 record in its last 10 games. The team's locker room closed to media mid-session after the Hawks blowout, with players including Bane calling the effort "inexcusable." Wagner's workload tonight is a legitimate uncertainty — coming off 20 restricted minutes in his first game back from 22 games out, minutes management is possible (). The Magic are a 6.5–7-point road favorite (; ) against a Mavericks team that has lost 13 straight at home.