Instant Reactions: Ryan Nembhard avoids serious injury in Mavericks loss to Hornets

Midway through the third quarter, Dallas’ Ryan Nembhard dove for a loose ball when Mavericks center Dwight Powell inadvertently kneed him in the thigh.

Nembhard crumpled to the floor and remained down, clutching his leg in visible pain. Mavericks head athletic trainer Jana Austin rushed over to evaluate him. He was helped to the bench before heading to the locker room, still wincing.

In the fourth quarter, however, Nembhard returned.

He knocked down a 3-pointer and later drew the defense before tossing an alley-oop to Daniel Gafford. He showed no lingering effects — one of several reasons the Mavericks felt comfortable converting him from a two-way contract to a standard deal on Sunday.

Nembhard finished with six points, five rebounds and four assists in 21 minutes, but Dallas fell 117-90 to the Charlotte Hornets.

Brandon Miller had 17 points, five rebounds and four assists for Charlotte. LaMelo Ball and Kon Knueppel struggled, combining to shoot 11-of-33 (33 percent) from the field, though Ball dished out nine assists and Knueppel added five assists.

Brandon Williams led the Mavericks with 18 points, while P.J. Washington added 13 points.

The Mavericks will play five more road games before returning to the American Airlines Center on March 13. Dallas has lost 14 of their last 16 games, but have failed to gain any upward movement in the draft.