Jason Kidd described the Dallas Mavericks' injury crisis as unprecedented after their losing run continued on Sunday, saying: "You've got to laugh or this will drive you crazy."

The Mavs went down by a 125-116 scoreline against the Phoenix Suns at American Airlines Center, their fifth straight defeat and their seventh in their last eight games.

Dallas, who have faced fierce scrutiny from their own fans since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers, entered Sunday's game with just nine available players.

Three more were injured during the game, including two on the same play as Kessler Edwards and Dwight Powell clashed heads when chasing a rebound.

Powell did not return, nor did Brandon Williams after complaining of hamstring tightness, while Dante Exum and Caleb Martin were not available after the midway point of the fourth quarter, having been placed on minutes restrictions after returning from lengthy absences.

That left Kidd unable to make any further substitutions after Edwards checked back in with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

"I've never seen this," Kidd said. "I've never been in a game where we could not take someone out to rest them because we had no one to put in. 

"At the end of the bench, usually you can put someone in. 

"If they were not in street clothes, they were in the back getting stitches or could not move or walk. It's tough. It is what it is, though. You've got to keep pushing forward."

Final. @Chime // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/qmxcSp0aqr

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 9, 2025

Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, Jaden Hardy, Kyrie Irving, Kai Jones, Dereck Lively II, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and P.J. Washington were all already on the Mavs' inactive list.

And to make matters worse, the team's salary cap situation means they cannot add reinforcements despite having an open roster spot.

NBA rules dictate that teams must field an active roster with a minimum of eight available players, and Powell told ESPN he expects to be available for their back-to-back visits to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday and Wednesday, offering a much-needed boost.

"We can't sign anybody... me and Duds cost too much," Kidd said, referring to his assistant coach Jared Dudley. "You've got to laugh or else this will drive you crazy."