What happened: Santi Aldama has been upgraded to active status ahead of his Dallas debut. The forward had been sidelined since undergoing right knee surgery in the spring.

Why it matters: Dallas is 4-4 through eight games in 2026-27 and sits 11th in the Western Conference standings. Aldama's return bolsters the frontcourt rotation as the Mavericks look to snap a two-game losing streak.

What to watch: Aldama enters the active rotation for his first playing time of the regular season.