Saint Aldama he had to miss training camp while recovering from surgery on his right knee, so he’s now going through his own version of the process, writes Eddie Sefko of NBA.com. The Mavericks understood the 25-year-old power forward might not be ready for the season when they acquired him from Memphis in July, but they were willing to wait because of everything he brings to the roster.
Aldama has averaged 14.3 minutes in four contests since making his season debut last week as he continues to work his way back into game shape. He said the knee feels almost 100% after a long layoff.
“It’s probably as close as you can get to it,” – said Aldama. “I think the more games I play, the better I feel. It’s all about adaptation. There’s nothing you can do in practice to replicate the intensity of an NBA game. We’ve done everything we can, and the more I play, the better I feel.”
The minutes restriction placed on Aldama when he returned has already been lifted, but the coach Dusty May said he’s still being watched closely to see how the knee responds as he gets more playing time. Sefko notes that because Aldama has been sidelined for so long, the Nov. 6 game was his first chance to build on-court chemistry with his new teammates.
“It’s never fun to recover (from an injury)” – said Aldama. “The mental aspect is probably the hardest. Coming to a new team and getting to know guys and not being able to play basketball with them is tough. And now we’re learning as we go. Basketball is my comfort zone. And not being in your comfort zone is not fun. I’ve put in a lot of work to come back better. I didn’t have a preseason, but at the same time, I’m ready to help the team.”
More on Mavericks:
- Max Christiewhich was downgraded to doubtful earlier today with a sprained left ankle, out for tonight’s game at Cleveland, trans Grant Offset of the Dallas Sports Journal. Christie is off to a rough start shooting 33.3% from the field and 27.3% from 3-point range, but Maye believes he will eventually snap out of it. “You look around the league and there are some guys who are shooting 55% right now and they’re not going to shoot 55% when the dust settles in a couple of months and there are other guys who are shooting 20% and they’re not going to shoot 20%.” May said. “So it’s just staying with your process to be more focused on making an impact on the game, on your team.”
- May said the Mavericks aren’t watching Zachary Ryzakerwho was acquired from Atlanta this summer as a former No. 1 pick, Offset said in a separate story. In 2024, the Hawks named Rizacher the best receiver, but he didn’t reach that status for two seasons before being traded. “It shouldn’t be a stigma for anyone” May said. “For us, it’s just more about making sure he knows that we value what he brings to the team and we love what he’s doing today, but we’re also incredibly excited about what he can become.”
- The article is for subscribers only Mark Stein of The Stein Line explores Maye’s adjustment to NBA coaching after Michigan’s NCAA title win.