Dallas Mavs Injury Report: Updates on Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving vs. OKC Thunder
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks played their 108-94 loss against the Memphis Grizzlies without Luka Doncic being among a list of inactive players. The Slovenian superstar was listed out for personal reasons that later became clear, given the announcement of the birth of his daughter.
Doncic was not listed on the Mavs' injury report ahead of their matchup against the Thunder on Saturday, making him available to play. The team did list Kyrie Irving (right foot soreness), Tim Hardaway Jr. (back spasms), and Josh Green (right elbow sprain) as questionable.
In addition to various important perimeter players having uncertain statuses against the Thunder, Dallas has already ruled out Dante Exum (personal reasons) and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation). It remains to be seen what a potential timetable for return looks like for either player until official word is given from the team.
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic against the Houston Rockets.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Irving had an uncharacteristically poor performance against the Grizzlies, scoring 10 points, shooting 3-15 from the floor and 0-5 from beyond the arc. While Memphis' defense was aggressive when keying in on him, the All-Star guard revealed how he felt a "tweak" in his foot — raising questions about his status for Saturday.
"I had a bit of a tweak to my foot at the end of the first quarter, so just trying to get my balance underneath me — it's hard to settle back in once you feel a tweak like that, especially in your feet," Irving said. "I was just doing my best to stay mentally prepared for anything that could happen out there."
Irving did express a desire to play on Saturday but acknowledged there would be a need to evaluate his status in the morning. He admitted to unsure if the injury was related to a taxing recent schedule or overstimulation. For a veteran player who values peaking at the right time of the season, his status will be one to monitor.
"I'm looking like I'm going to play tomorrow, but we'll just see how it feels in the rising," Irving said.
Given how many potential variables there are with the Mavs' uncertain player statuses, depending on who gets ruled out, players like Jaden Hardy and Seth Curry should see expanded opportunities once again if Irving doesn't play. On the wing, Olivier-Maxence Prosper becomes another player to monitor based on whether Hardaway or Green gets ruled out.
The Mavs will have three days off before returning to action when they face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday at American Airlines Center.
