The Dallas Mavericks will be without Luka Dončić for most of January due to a left calf strain. Now, Kyrie Irving is sidelined without a clear timetable for a return with a bulging disc in his back.
Irving last played against the Houston Rockets, scoring 16 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Initially sidelined by illness as a late addition to the injury report hours ahead of the Cleveland Cavaliers game, he is now dealing with a lumbar sprain.
Neither Irving nor Dončić traveled with the Mavericks to Memphis. Additionally, there isn’t a clear return timetable for Irving or Dončić. Dončić is set to be re-evaluated in late January and is using a scooter to alleviate pressure off his leg, while Irving will miss at least one to two weeks, per ESPN. However, a return to the competition schedule has not yet been established.
The Mavericks started strong this season but have struggled with injuries. They enter Monday’s matchup at 20-15, riding a four-game losing streak. Another loss could drop them further in the Western Conference standings.
Dallas enters Monday’s matchup against Memphis at 20-15. A loss would result in a drop in the Western Conference standings’ play-in tournament seeding. Already on a four-game losing streak, a further slide could put Dallas in danger of dropping to the bottom of the West’s top 10.
Irving established strong momentum to earn an All-Star nod before dealing with recent injuries, averaging 24.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 30 games. Further updates regarding Irving’s status should be expected throughout this week.
With Danté Exum’s return date unclear, the Mavericks’ only healthy point guards are Spencer Dinwiddie, Brandon Williams, and Jazian Gortman. Other players like Quentin Grimes, Naji Marshall, and P.J. Washington have also been relied on to handle the ball.
Tipoff against the Grizzlies is set for 7 p.m. CT at FedEx Forum.
