Santi Aldama continues rehab in Dallas, Southwest Division roundup

It was a quiet night on the floor for the Southwest Division, with all five teams idle. The standings, however, are starting to take shape, featuring a pair of undefeated teams and one club still looking for its first victory.

Dallas Mavericks: Aldama takes G League step

Hoops Rumors reports that forward Santi Aldama is moving forward in his rehab process with the Dallas Mavericks via a G League stint. The team announced he has been assigned to the Texas Legends to practice with them as part of his return-to-play protocol following an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee.

This move is framed as a rehab step rather than a demotion, using the G League setting to help him regain rhythm and conditioning. No further details were provided on a potential target date for Aldama to rejoin the Mavericks’ main rotation. Dallas sits at 2-2 in the Southwest, squarely in the middle of the early divisional picture.

Rockets and Grizzlies out front, Pelicans struggling

Without taking the court, the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies remained on top of the division at 4-0, the only unbeaten teams in the group. Their perfect starts are already creating a bit of separation from the rest of the Southwest pack.

At the other end, the New Orleans Pelicans are 0-3 and still chasing that first win. For now, they are the only winless team in the division, while the Mavericks and San Antonio Spurs (both 2-2) sit in the middle tier.

Spurs in the mix heading into next stretch

San Antonio’s 2-2 mark leaves the Spurs tied with Dallas squarely in the chasing group behind Houston and Memphis. As the next run of games approaches, the Spurs, Mavericks and Pelicans will be looking either to close the gap on the unbeaten duo or avoid losing too much ground too early in the season.