DALLAS — Marcus Sasser is expected to play Friday when the Dallas Mavericks close the preseason against the Atlanta Hawks, Mavericks coach Dusty May said after practice Thursday.
“We anticipate Sass will play a little bit tomorrow,” May said.
Sasser sat out Wednesday’s 101-97 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans with left adductor tightness. He has not played in any of Dallas’ three preseason games.
He was out for the opener against the Houston Rockets in Macao on Oct. 9 and did not play in the rematch two days later.
Friday’s game would be Sasser’s first for the Mavericks. Dallas acquired the guard from the Detroit Pistons on July 8 in a six-team trade.
Sasser averaged 5.2 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 12.0 minutes across 38 games with Detroit in 2025-26. He shot 39.0% from the field and 41.5% from 3-point range.
Marcus Sasser Says Adductor Injury Came From Slip In Practice
Sasser slipped in practice and overstretched the adductor. He said Thursday that he is good.
“I just slipped in practice and kinda overstretched it, but I’m good,” Sasser said.
While he was out, Sasser kept working on the new offense and defense and continued getting shots up.
“Learning the new scheme, the offense, the defense. I still been on the court, getting my shots up and stuff, so I’ve been good,” Sasser said.
Sasser was born in Dallas and played at Red Oak High School before four seasons at Houston, where he was a consensus All-American and won the Jerry West Award as a senior in 2022-23.
The Memphis Grizzlies drafted him 25th overall in 2023, and Detroit acquired his rights on draft night.
Dusty May Updates Rest Of Mavericks’ Injury List
Santi Aldama, who is working back from right knee surgery, is not expected to play Friday.
Morez Johnson Jr. missed Wednesday with right shin splints and is close to returning, according to May.
“I don’t think Santi will, but he’s getting much, much closer. He’s progressing,” May said. “Morez is really close.”
Center Moussa Cissé did not practice Thursday after tweaking his left ankle in the first half Wednesday.
May called it a slightly tweaked ankle and said Cissé would have been able to play if Dallas had a game Thursday.
May said Friday will be the closest thing to a regular-season game the Mavericks have played this preseason, with more of a regular rotation and a few players still out.
Dallas rested Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg on Wednesday.
Tip-off against the Hawks is set for 7 p.m. CT Friday at American Airlines Center. The Mavericks open the regular season Oct. 21 in Houston, with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. CT.
