Christie’s night ends with a right hip injury

What changed

Max Christie did not return after halftime of Monday’s 115-100 loss to Sacramento because of a right hip injury. He went down after a second-quarter turnover, checked out with 6:59 left in the half and finished scoreless on five three-point attempts in 7:40.

Dusty May said he noticed Christie hobbling but did not see the injury occur. The coach said Dallas would reevaluate him the next day and over the next couple of days. The team did not announce a diagnosis, severity or return timetable.

Interpretation: Christie’s absence matters because Dallas has been leaning on his perimeter defense and starting-lineup continuity. Walter Clayton Jr. opened the second half in his place, but the immediate watch is simple: whether Christie appears on Wednesday’s injury report before the road game in San Antonio.