The Dallas Mavericks may have to forge ahead without one of their superstars once again as Kyrie Irving is listed as doubtful for Wednesday night’s road tilt against the New Orleans Pelicans. Irving, who just returned from a five-game absence, is still dealing with a bulging disc in his lower back that is hampering his ability to consistently take the court.
Irving Aiming to Manage Back Issue Without Surgery
Despite his desire to suit up for both games of the back-to-back, Irving acknowledged the challenge of playing through the nagging back ailment after Tuesday’s 118-99 loss to the Denver Nuggets in which he struggled mightily.
“It’s a bulging disc in your back, so just got to do your best to manage it. It’s not to the point where it’s bad enough where I need surgery, which I’m grateful to God, but I have the support of my medical staff. A few other people in this locker room deal with the same thing. So just being smart about, that’s it. Not being too cautious.”
Kyrie Irving on his back injury
In his first game action since December 23rd, Irving mustered just 11 points on a dreadful 4-of-18 shooting against the Nuggets. It was a far cry from the offensive wizardry the 8-time All-Star typically provides when healthy.
Mavericks’ Injury Woes Continue to Mount
Irving’s uncertain status compounds the Mavericks’ injury issues, as fellow superstar Luka Doncic remains sidelined with a strained left calf suffered on Christmas Day. Doncic is slated to be reevaluated later this month, with no clear timetable for his return.
Adding to Dallas’ frontcourt concerns, starting center Dereck Lively II has been ruled out against the Pelicans after spraining his right ankle in the first quarter of the loss to Denver. The rookie big man’s absence leaves the Mavericks precariously thin up front.
Pelicans Also Shorthanded for Wednesday’s Clash
New Orleans will be missing some key cogs of their own when they host the Mavericks at the Smoothie King Center. Zion Williamson, still working his way back from a hamstring strain, is slated to sit out the second leg of the back-to-back for conditioning purposes.
The Pelicans have also been without the services of Brandon Ingram (ankle) and Herbert Jones (shoulder) for extended stretches. Their unavailability has made it challenging for New Orleans to find a rhythm and build continuity this season.
Mavericks Facing Uphill Battle in Competitive West
Every game takes on added significance for Dallas as they attempt to remain afloat in the hotly contested Western Conference playoff race. The Mavericks currently sit at 21-17, placing them 6th in the West but only three games ahead of the 12th seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
With Doncic already on the mend and Irving’s status in flux, Dallas can ill afford to give away any winnable games. The Mavericks will need their supporting cast, led by the likes of Christian Wood, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Tim Hardaway Jr., to step up and shoulder more of the offensive burden to keep the team competitive.
As the season approaches its halfway point, the Mavericks remain optimistic that they can tread water until their stars are able to return to their typical workloads. But in a merciless Western Conference, where every team is scrapping for positioning, health is a precious commodity that Dallas is finding increasingly hard to come by.
While Kyrie Irving and the Mavericks are hoping for the best, only time will tell if the veteran guard’s finicky back will cooperate and allow him to be the critical floor spacer and shotmaker Dallas desperately needs him to be. For now, the Mavericks have little choice but to adapt and find production from unlikely places as they navigate this trying stretch of the season.
