Kyrie Irving In, Klay Thompson and Luka Dončić Among Mavericks Ruled Out Against Hawks
Kyrie Irving is available to play, while Klay Thompson, Luka Dončić, and Quentin Grimes are out as the Mavericks face the Hawks in the final game of their road trip.
ATLANTA — The Dallas Mavericks have announced that Kyrie Irving (illness) can play against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. This update relieves a team dealing with a slew of injuries.
Luka Dončić (right wrist sprain), Klay Thompson (left plantar fascia injury), Quentin Grimes (illness), Danté Exum (right wrist surgery), and Brandon Williams (G League assignment) are all ruled out.
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The Mavericks are playing on the second night of a back-to-back following a 123-118 overtime loss to the Miami Heat on Sunday. Irving was instrumental in that game, leading the team with 27 points and six assists. He has been a vital contributor this season, averaging 24.1 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.4 rebounds over 16 games.
Klay Thompson, who scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds against Miami, has been sidelined due to a left plantar fascia injury. Thompson has averaged 13.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists while shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc this season.
Quentin Grimes, who started in Dončić’s absence recently, is also out due to illness. Grimes has averaged 6.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 16 games this season, with four points and seven rebounds in Sunday’s game against Miami. His defensive contributions and floor-spacing ability have been key when called upon.
The Mavericks’ depth will be tested with Dončić, Thompson, Grimes, and Exum unavailable. Naji Marshall and Jaden Hardy will both start. Marshall, who scored 20 points off the bench against Miami, has been Dallas’s consistent energy source.
Additionally, Spencer Dinwiddie is likely to take on a more significant role. Though averaging 4.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists this season, his experience and ability to create plays will be critical in managing the team’s shorthanded roster.
P.J. Washington has also been a key figure in the Mavericks’ offense without Dončić. Washington is averaging 23.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in three games without Dončić, including a 21-point, 10-rebound effort against Miami.
At 9-8, Dallas risks falling back to .500 with a loss against the Hawks, led by Trae Young. The team’s ability to adapt to its depleted roster will be pivotal as it looks to close out its road trip with a win.
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