Naji Marshall Ruled Out Wednesday With Illness

Naji Marshall is officially out for Wednesday's game with an illness, according to Underdog NBA.

The Dallas Mavericks will have to navigate their rotation without their gritty small forward, leaving a noticeable dent in their defensive versatility.

"Naji Marshall (illness) ruled out Wednesday. - @UnderdogNBA"

It is that time of the NBA season where the injury report starts looking like a crowded urgent care waiting room. The dreaded illness tag is the ultimate wildcard designation in professional sports. It could mean a mild case of the sniffles, or it could mean a guy has been quarantined in his bedroom watching daytime television for 48 hours straight.

Marshall brings a specific brand of chaotic energy to the floor for Dallas. When you take the number three jersey out of the mix, the Mavericks lose a guy who is never afraid to do the dirty work while the stars handle the heavy lifting on offense.

For anyone who had Marshall penciled into a deep fantasy lineup or was eyeing a niche prop bet, it is time to pivot. The Mavericks will likely have to lean heavier on their remaining bench wings to soak up those available minutes.

We will have to wait and see if this is just a standard 24-hour bug or something that keeps him sidelined through the weekend. Until then, Dallas has to figure out how to replace his hustle on the fly.