Mavs Injury Updates: Luka Doncic Questionable vs. 76ers; Kyrie Irving Set for Return?
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks continue to deal with no shortage of injuries as they enter Monday's matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers with a 26-23 record. The Mavs are coming off a 129-117 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks that featured losing a 25-point lead achieved in the early second quarter.
The Mavs consider Kyrie Irving (right thumb sprain) probable to play against the Sixers. Luka Doncic (right ankle soreness) was added to the injury report and is questionable to play on Monday. Maxi Kleber is also questionable after his previous injury designation was a nasal fracture, and he is back to a right small toe dislocation. Dante Exum (right knee bursitis) and Dereck Lively II (nasal fracture) are ruled out.
Doncic went to the locker room during the first quarter of Saturday's loss against the Bucks after fighting for a loose ball. He's been managing a right ankle injury for quite some time and appeared bothered by his right ankle, but he sounded confident when talking to reporters after the game.
“It’s the same ankle. I heard it pop. It’s pretty strong now, if it was last year, it would’ve been worse," Doncic said. "But this year, I work on it every day, so it’s stronger.”
There was optimism that Irving would return to the Mavs' lineup during their road trip; how soon was unclear as of Saturday, but it appears likely that he will make his return to the Mavs' lineup against the Sixers. He had practiced multiple days before Saturday's loss against the Bucks and "looked good," according to Mavs coach Jason Kidd.
"I thought Kai had two good days of practice," Kidd said before Saturday's game. "Hopefully, on this trip, he'll be available. But I thought he looked good yesterday."
Lively was always expected to be sidelined against the 76ers since he is set to undergo surgery in Dallas to reset his broken nose on Monday. It remains to be seen if he can play during the Mavs' three-game East Coast road trip.
"We have to get through the procedure first," Kidd said of Lively. "I think there'll be something after the procedure if he's going to travel, but let's make sure everything goes well with the procedure."
No updates have been provided about Exum's recovery from his right knee injury. He last played on January 26 during Doncic's 73-point performance against the Atlanta Hawks before being ruled out due to "right knee soreness" against the Sacramento Kings on the second night of a back-to-back the following day. He is set to miss a fifth consecutive game after being sidelined against the Sixers.
