The Mavericks face the Jazz without Kyrie Irving (shoulder strain), starting Dereck Lively II, Quentin Grimes, and Maxi Kleber to shake up the lineup.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Dallas Mavericks will attempt to defeat the Utah Jazz on Thursday night without Kyrie Irving, who was ruled out due to a right shoulder strain. The team is motivated to end a three-game losing streak and improve their 5-6 record.
Head coach Jason Kidd mentioned “no concern” about Irving’s injury and expressed optimism that he’ll return to the lineup soon. However, it remains to be seen when he’ll be back in the lineup until a more precise update is provided.
Without one of their star backcourt members, the Mavericks decided to shake up the lineup—inserting Dereck Lively II, Quentin Grimes, and Maxi Kleber. The move sends Daniel Gafford and Naji Marshall into the second unit.
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“Next man up. We’ve had that same early and often here this season, and so someone’s gonna get the opportunity to start,” Kidd said. “Then also there’s gonna be plenty of minutes for others, too, to play tonight. We hope that those guys can take full advantage. We think they’re prepared to do that. So we’re excited to see this group that’s starting and then the other guys who normally might get minutes tonight.”
Lively returned from a four-game injury absence on Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors and impressed the coaching staff. He’s averaged 9.7 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists in seven games this season.
“I thought his energy for the 24 minutes he played his energy for his first game back, with the level and the attention and emotions, I thought he did a really good job,” Kidd said of Lively. “We’re going to need that tonight.”
P.J. Washington went through a pre-game workout in continuation of the return to competition process. It’s a positive sign that he’s nearing a return to the lineup. The next chance he’ll have to return will be on Saturday, November 16, against the San Antonio Spurs in what begins the first night of a back-to-back sequence.
Danté Exum remains sidelined for the foreseeable future as he recovers from right wrist surgery.
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