Dallas Mavericks Recall Santi Aldama From Texas Legends, List Him As Doubtful vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks recalled forward Santi Aldama from the Texas Legends on Tuesday after he practiced with their G League affiliate as part of his return-to-play protocol.
Dallas sent Aldama to the Legends earlier in the day, with the plan for him to scrimmage and come back after practice. He did not appear in a game for Texas. The Legends open their season Nov. 8 in Mexico City.
On Tuesday’s injury report, Aldama is listed as doubtful for Wednesday’s home game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center.
Santi Aldama’s Injury Report History With The Dallas Mavericks
Aldama has not played for Dallas since Memphis traded him there in July. He sat out all four preseason games, including both games in Macao against the Houston Rockets.
The day before the preseason finale against the Atlanta Hawks, Mavericks coach Dusty May did not expect Aldama to play.
“I don’t think Santi will, but he’s getting much, much closer,” May said. “He’s progressing.”
Dallas listed Aldama as doubtful before the Oct. 21 regular-season opener at Houston as well, then ruled him out. He also sat out Friday’s 121-105 win at the Indiana Pacers, Saturday’s 122-106 home loss to the San Antonio Spurs, and Monday’s 113-109 win at the Miami Heat. The Mavericks are 2-2.
Aldama’s Path Back From Right Knee Surgery
Aldama had an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee on March 17, when he was still with the Memphis Grizzlies. It came with an orthobiologic injection to address discomfort in the knee, and it ended his season.
Over 43 games that season, 11 of them starts, Aldama averaged career highs of 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 27.9 minutes. He made 35.0% of his 3-point attempts.
Memphis traded him to Dallas on July 8 for AJ Johnson, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick that originally belonged to Golden State, and two future second-round picks. In August, Aldama and the Spanish federation agreed he would sit out Spain’s FIBA World Cup 2027 qualifiers rather than rush the knee.
At the start of training camp in late September, the medical staff was still going day by day on what Aldama could do.
“I’m working on it. It’s been a long summer in that sense,” Aldama said. “I’m working every day and feeling better every day, so I’m excited to get back out there.”
May said before the Macao trip that Aldama has learned to put the ball on the floor against perimeter defenders.
“Santi, obviously, being a seven-footer, could be a heck of a stretch five in a death lineup,” May said. “The problem is the other teams don’t put the fives on him. Do we have a group that can go punish a five elsewhere or can he punish a three man or four man, whoever they put on him?”
After Wednesday, the Mavericks host Houston on Friday at 7 p.m. CT.
