Dallas Mavericks Guard Dante Exum Injures Finger During Olympic Preparation
Behind the All-Star duo of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, Dante Exum provided veteran experience and playmaking from the Dallas Mavericks’ bench. Unfortunately, Exum recently suffered a finger injury while playing for Australia’s Olympic team, potentially sidelining him for the Mavs.
Exum, an Australian professional basketball player, was drafted fifth overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2014 NBA Draft, skipping college. He has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, FC Barcelona, and Partizan Belgrade before joining the Mavericks in 2023.
In his rookie season with the Jazz in 2014-15, Exum played in all 82 games and displayed his playmaking abilities. However, a torn ACL in 2015 caused him to miss the entire 2015-16 season. Various injuries throughout his career have affected his development and playing time.
Despite these challenges, Exum has found success in various leagues, winning the Spanish Cup with FC Barcelona in 2022 and the ABA League championship with Partizan Belgrade in 2023. He has also been a key contributor for the Australian national team, winning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
At 29, Exum joined the Mavericks in 2023, aiming to make a significant impact in the NBA. His combination of size, athleticism, and playmaking skills makes him a valuable addition to the Luka Doncic-led roster.
Just before the Olympics, Exum injured his finger. According to ESPN’s Olgun Uluc, Exum is expected to miss some time due to the injury but will remain with the Australian Boomers for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Exum suffered a compound dislocation of his right index finger during an exhibition game against France but will stay with the team for their Olympic opener against Spain on July 27.
Last season, Exum was a reliable reserve guard behind Doncic and Irving, averaging 7.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 19.8 minutes per game over 55 games. While his absence might not impact the early part of the next season, having him in the Mavs’ guard rotation could be crucial later on. Hopefully, Exum recovers sooner than expected.
