New Kyrie Irving Injury Update for Nuggets-Mavericks

In this story:
Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has missed the last five games due to a lumbar back strain. The eight-time NBA All-Star has appeared in 30 games this season, averaging 24.3 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds. As always, Irving has been very efficient this season, shooting 49% from the field and 44.1% from three.
The Mavericks are hosting the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night in a rematch of Sunday’s contest. Denver won that game by final score of 112-101, but it came without both Irving and his star backcourt partner Luka Doncic.
As Tuesday night’s contest approaches, a significant update was provided on Irving’s status.

It was reported by Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal that Irving a trending towards playing on Tuesday night.
Via Afseth: “There is a growing sense that Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will return from a five-game absence against the Denver Nuggets, sources indicate to DallasHoopsJournal.com.”
There is a growing sense that Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will return from a five-game absence against the Denver Nuggets, sources indicate to https://t.co/IjXhvM4SnW.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) January 14, 2025
NBA insider Marc Stein confirmed this report with one of his own.
Via Stein: “There is growing optimism in Dallas that Kyrie Irving (back) will return to the Mavericks' lineup tonight against Denver. An official team update on Irving's status is expected closer to game time (8:30 PM CT).”
There is growing optimism in Dallas that Kyrie Irving (back) will return to the Mavericks' lineup tonight against Denver.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 14, 2025
An official team update on Irving's status is expected closer to game time (8:30 PM CT).
More NBA from me: https://t.co/IIIlAlphrN + @DLLS_Sports
This is big news for a Mavericks team that has won just three of its last 10 games. Two losses behind Denver in the Western Conference standings, the Mavericks certainly need a win on Tuesday.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.