Kyrie Irving Available for Mavericks’ Rematch Against Nuggets

The Dallas Mavericks are preparing for a crucial rematch against the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night at American Airlines Center. The team’s preparations have received a significant boost with the news that Kyrie Irving has been upgraded to available to play.

Irving, who had been sidelined for the last five games due to illness and a lumbar back sprain, was cleared to return after participating in a full practice on Monday. His presence on the floor is expected to provide the Mavericks with much-needed leadership and scoring as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 112-101 loss to the Nuggets on Sunday.

“We’re happy that he was able to get it right with the time off,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said. “The goal is to get him through this one clean, and we’ll see what happens for tomorrow.”

Kidd mentioned that he expects Irving to play between 30 and 33 minutes in his first game back in the lineup. As mentioned, it remains to be seen what his status will be against the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night as the Mavericks play the final part of a back-to-back.

In his absence, the Mavericks struggled, especially in the fourth quarter of their last game, when a 19-point lead evaporated. Irving’s ability to create offense for himself and his teammates has been sorely missed during this stretch.

“The quarterback aspect, the leadership, his ability to score—just his presence, his gravity, a lot of times two on the ball while he has it,” Kidd added. “That’s what we miss when he’s out. Hopefully, we get that back soon.”

Irving has been a key figure for Dallas this season, averaging 24.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds while shooting a career-high 44.1% from three-point range. His return will be critical as the Mavericks aim to avoid slipping in the standings, particularly with Luka Dončić recovering from a left calf strain.

Navigating the Absence of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving

While Irving’s return provides an immediate boost, the Mavericks continue to adjust to life without Dončić. Kidd has praised his team’s resilience during this stretch, highlighting the contributions of players like Spencer Dinwiddie, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, and Quentin Grimes.

“The group has done an incredible job with those two out,” Kidd said. “We’ve been playing through Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, and Spencer Dinwiddie, and they’ve stepped up in leadership roles. There’s also Q [Quentin Grimes] and Hardy, who have also stepped up. And so, I think the group has improved with those two out.”

However, with the Nuggets’ defense and three-time MVP Nikola Jokić looming, the Mavericks will need a more complete performance to succeed. Irving’s leadership will keep the team composed and focused throughout the game. During Sunday’s game, Jokić posted a dominant stat line of 19 points, 18 rebounds, and nine assists.

“Jokić is dangerous in any part of the floor,” Lively said. “Whether he has the ball or not, you have to think about what he’s doing and what he’s trying to set up on offense. He’s not only a scorer but a playmaker, so we have to be aware of that. It’s going to take a collective effort to limit his impact.”

Looking Ahead to the Denver Nuggets Rematch

The Mavericks’ rematch against the Nuggets is vital as they aim to stay competitive in the tightly-packed Western Conference. Tip-off is set for 8:30 p.m. CST, and Irving’s status will be a key storyline as the Mavericks look to avenge their recent loss and continue building momentum.

“Sometimes you just need that little extra push, and Kyrie’s presence is going to give us that,” Kidd said. “We’ll keep pushing forward with him back in the lineup.”