Dallas Mavericks Deny Faulty MRI Claims for Austin Reaves in Dallas

Dallas Mavericks officials have officially denied claims that their medical team made an error during an MRI scan for Austin Reaves. This dispute follows comments made by analyst JJ Redick.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Dallas Mavericks officials have formally rejected assertions that their medical staff mishandled an MRI scan administered to Los Angeles Lakers player Austin Reaves. The team issued a statement asserting that the imaging procedure followed "standard protocols" and that "there was no error in the scan performed." This comes in response to claims made by JJ Redick, a former player and analyst, who stated Reaves required a second MRI due to an improperly scanned area during the initial procedure conducted by the Mavericks' facility.

The dispute centers on the initial diagnostic imaging of Reaves' left oblique strain, an injury that has sidelined him for the remainder of the Lakers' regular season. Sources familiar with the situation, as reported by ESPN, indicate Reaves is expected to be out for four to six weeks. The Mavericks' statement, released to various media outlets, maintains that the scan was conducted correctly based on the information available at the time of the examination.

Read More: March 2026 Basketball Players Enter Transfer Portal Seeking New Teams

Mavs dispute claim they erred with Reaves' MRI - 1

Redick voiced his criticism following a Lakers practice in Dallas, suggesting that the Mavericks' medical staff, serving as the host facility for the Lakers' road trip, had erroneously scanned the wrong region of Reaves' body. This, he implied, necessitated a subsequent, correctly executed MRI to accurately diagnose the Grade 2 left oblique strain. Redick’s comments suggest a disconnect between the initial assessment and the subsequent diagnosis, which he attributes to a procedural misstep by the Mavericks' imaging team.

The Lakers were in Dallas to play the Mavericks. The injury Reaves sustained occurred during a previous game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Notably, Lakers player Luka Dončić also suffered a left hamstring strain in that same Oklahoma City game. The Mavericks’ win against the Lakers on Sunday, by a score of 134-128, marked a rare victory for Dallas, snapping a significant home losing streak.

Read More: Duke Basketball Players Darren Harris and Nikolas Khamenia Enter Transfer Portal

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Did the Dallas Mavericks perform a faulty MRI on Austin Reaves?
Dallas Mavericks officials have denied claims that their medical staff mishandled an MRI scan for Austin Reaves. They issued a statement saying the procedure followed standard protocols and there was no error in the scan performed.
Q: Why is Austin Reaves out for the rest of the Lakers' season?
Austin Reaves sustained a Grade 2 left oblique strain. He is expected to be out for four to six weeks, which means he will miss the remainder of the Lakers' regular season.
Q: What did JJ Redick say about Austin Reaves' MRI?
Former player and analyst JJ Redick claimed that Austin Reaves needed a second MRI because the initial scan by the Mavericks' facility was improperly done. He suggested the wrong area was scanned, leading to a delay in accurate diagnosis.
Q: When and where did Austin Reaves get injured?
Austin Reaves' injury occurred during a previous game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The MRI dispute happened when the Lakers were in Dallas to play the Mavericks.
Q: What was the outcome of the Mavericks vs. Lakers game in Dallas?
The Dallas Mavericks won against the Los Angeles Lakers in Dallas on Sunday with a score of 134-128. This win helped Dallas end a home losing streak.