Dallas Mavs Injury Updates: Latest on Kyrie Irving; Key Guard Uncertain vs. Portland Trail Blazers
DALLAS — After losing 119-101 to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, the Dallas Mavericks return on the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers for the second time in eight days. Seeking to build on a 15-9 record through 24 games, the Mavs will need a victory to avoid moving down the Western Conference standings.
The first meeting between the Mavs and Blazers of the season ended as a 125-112 victory for Dallas. The focus was placed on Kyrie Irving injuring his foot after Dwight Powell landed on him, prompting false reporting from BlazersTV stating the All-Star guard left the area in a wheelchair.
The Mavs' injury report before Saturday's game includes Seth Curry being questionable to play due to illness. Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion), Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation), and Josh Green (right elbow sprain) all remain out.
Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Irving was among the players to travel with the team to Portland on Friday as he continues recovering from a right heel contusion. He initially wore a walking boot and used crutches to walk around days after the injury, but he no longer needs crutches. He also walked around the locker room without a boot after working out.
It remains to be seen how long Irving will remain sidelined, but it's encouraging that he's joining the team on the road in Portland. There remains no official update regarding the status of Kleber or Green as they recover from their respective injuries.
The injury report had become long for recent games but no longer features players like Tim Hardaway Jr. or Derrick Jones Jr., who entered the loss against the Timberwolves with a listed designation. Hardaway has dealt with back spasms in recent games, while Jones suffered a quad contusion in Monday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies, causing him to miss the remainder of that game.
