Tim Thomas hit 5-of-10 shots for 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a steal in Friday's win.
He could have a little value in deeper leagues for as long as Josh Howard is out, so keep an eye on him.
Drew Gooden couldn't shoot it on Friday (4-of-16) but finished with nine points and a season-high 16 rebounds as the Mavericks pulled off a comeback win over the Kings.
Gooden would have posted his fourth double-double with one more point, and starter Erick Dampier is not due back from an illness until late next week at the earliest. And even then, he might have lost his job to Gooden.
Shawn Marion (ankle) said he will not play Friday against the Kings, but should be back for Tuesday's game against the Warriors.
"It's feeling better," Marion said Friday. "Just a couple more days and I should be good." Look for Quinton Ross to start again in his place.
Josh Howard said Thursday that the rehab on his injured left ankle is "going well."
"It's getting better, and I'm going to try to be out there real soon," he said. Just to make his owners feel better he also said he probably rushed back too fast from off-season surgery adding, "at the time, it felt like it was OK." Hopefully this time around he gets it right.
A positive report emerged regarding the health of Erick Dampier, as all life-threatening or career-threatening medical issues have been ruled out since he was hospitalized Sunday, but there is still no timetable for his return.
This is obviously great news for him, as basketball has probably been an afterthought for the past week. Drew Gooden, who has double-doubled three games in a row, will continue to start in his absence.
Drew Gooden is taking advantage of the absence of Erick Dampier, who has an undisclosed medical condition (we're guessing 'heart'), and had 17 points, 11 boards and three blocks on 8-of-13 shooting in Wednesday's OT win over the Spurs.
Gooden has been very hot lately and should probably be scooped up in most leagues. He has three straight double-doubles and four blocks in his last three games, and while he'll take a hit when Dampier returns, he is now performing at the level we expected him to coming into the season.
Tim Thomas returned to action on Wednesday from knee surgery and had two points on 1-of-4 shooting in 13 minutes.
We doubt he'll have fantasy value this season, but could become a key player off the Mavericks bench as they shoot for a championship this season. Especially with Josh Howard constantly injured.
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