The Dallas Mavericks open the 2018-19 regular season against the Phoenix Suns, and they will be without a top offensive option as small forward Harrison Barnes will not play due to a strained right hamstring.
Harrison Barnes will miss at least the first game of the season Wednesday in Phoenix with a strained right hamstring. @dallasmavs
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) October 14, 2018
Barnes missed the entire preseason with the injury.
Barnes played in 77 regular-season games last season for the Mavs. The 26-year-old averaged 18.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. He shot 44.5 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from beyond the arc and 82.7 percent from the free-throw line.
After playing the first four seasons of his career with the Golden State Warriors, Harrison Barnes signed a four-year, $94.4 million deal with the Mavs in the summer of 2016. The Mavs haven't announced who will start in Barnes' place.
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is still out with an ankle injury. Swingman Dorian Finney-Smith could be the player head coach Rick Carlisle decides to go with. The Mavs' four other starters are Dennis Smith Jr., Luka Doncic, Wesley Matthews and DeAndre Jordan.
Barnes has career averages of 13.1 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 463 games. He won the 2015 NBA Finals with the Warriors and was on the 2013 All-Rookie team.
The Mavs have to hope Barnes' hamstring ailment isn't a recurring problem throughout the year. The forward is hoping to return to a full practice by the end of the week.
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