DETROIT 鈥 The last time Dante Exum played in an NBA game was June 17, 2024.
He was among several members of the Dallas Mavericks to walk through the green and white shower of confetti that fell from the rafters of TD Garden, which marked the conclusion of a five-game Finals loss to the Boston Celtics.
Exum was positioned to be one of the team鈥檚 primary ballhandlers coming into a new season to support Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. Those plans were derailed on the first day of training camp, when his right wrist collided with the rim after a dunk attempt.
Exum joined the Mavericks on the court for the first time in over seven months on Friday when he brought the ball up on the first possession of the second quarter.
It was a significant moment in Exum鈥檚 extensive journey back from a severe wrist injury that required surgery. The veteran guard missed the first three months of the season, but his return in Friday鈥檚 117-102 loss to the Detroit Pistons was a sign that the Mavericks are one step closer to becoming healthy.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long road,鈥 Exum said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a lot of ups and downs. Just the work to get back to this point, it鈥檚 been a lot. Unfortunately, we couldn鈥檛 win tonight. That would鈥檝e been a nice icing on the cake. There鈥檚 still a lot of work to do. I got a lot of work to do. Hopefully I can get back to my normal self as quick as possible.鈥
Exum said he tore the ligament in one of the eight carpal bones in his wrist, which required a procedure to repair.
As expected for someone who鈥檚 missed such a significant amount of time, Exum鈥檚 playing opportunity was limited on Friday night. He played only 14 of his 15-minute restriction and finished with just three points, two rebounds, one assist and two turnovers.
Exum showed signs of fatigue at times, and didn鈥檛 have much lift on the lone 3-pointer he attempted. However, he also had moments when he showed an asserted effort to drive to the basket. His most ambitious play was a dunk attempt, but he was fouled on the right wrist by Pistons center Jalen Duren. Exum used the same wrist that required surgery to brace his fall. He rose to his feet and split a pair of free throws.
鈥淚鈥檓 mad at myself for doing it, but I feel like it鈥檚 a hats off to me and the rehab team,鈥 Exum said. 鈥淚t shows that we did our job and I can come back and fall on it and still get back up. No fear going into the next game, and coming back stronger.鈥
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Exum provided a positive pace for the team despite his limited minutes.
鈥淭he things that he did for us were great,鈥 Kidd said. 鈥淗e was part of that group that helped us get back into the game to cut it to four, I think. A lot of positive things. He came out healthy, so we鈥檒l see how many minutes he can go on a Sunday afternoon.鈥
The Mavericks will continue their longest road trip of the season Sunday in Cleveland, followed by Tuesday鈥檚 game in Philadelphia and Thursday鈥檚 rematch against Boston. All three of those games could be used to give Exum the reps he鈥檚 needed since he hasn鈥檛 participated in any five-on-five basketball activity. The Mavericks only had three practices in January because of their lack of available bodies.
鈥淣ot much. Actually, none at all,鈥 Exum said. 鈥淲e had our two-way guys playing a lot of minutes so it was hard to play five-on-five, but we made it work. We made myself get runs when we could and be ready for tonight.鈥
Exum鈥檚 first game back showed he鈥檚 still willing to attack the rim with the same force without any worries about excessive contact with his wrist.
鈥淚t鈥檚 something I鈥檝e done a thousand times,鈥 Exum said. 鈥淛ust this one time, it decided to snap or whatever it did.鈥