Kyrie Irving (right foot) sidelined against Bulls
This season, in 20 games with the team, the guard for the Mavs is averaging 27 points per game and 5 assists per game.
The Dallas Mavericks’ chances for a postseason push will be significantly more challenging for at least one night.
The team announced guard Kyrie Irving will miss Friday’s game against the Chicago Bulls (8:30 p.m. ET, NBA League Pass) to help his nagging right foot injury heal up. He won’t be the only player missing Friday’s game as Josh Green (rest), Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle soreness), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring injury recovery) and Christian Wood (rest) will also be out.
Tonight’s game against the Bulls will be missed by Kyrie Irving due to right foot injury recovery, Josh Green and Christian Wood for rest, Tim Hardaway Jr. due to left ankle soreness, and Maxi Kleber due to right hamstring injury recovery.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) April 7, 2023
Dallas is 38-42 and trails the No. 10-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder by 1/2 game with two games left to play. The Thunder can clinch an AT&T Play-In Tournament bid if the Mavs lose tonight. Dallas missing the playoffs would be stunning turn of events considering last season’s team made a run to the Western Conference finals.
Recently, Mark Cuban, owner of the Mavs, informed reporters that re-signing Irving this summer is a high priority for him. However, he doesn’t consider it a situation of “Kyrie or bust”.
Before the Mavs’ 123-119 victory against Sacramento on Wednesday, which kept their hopes for securing the final play-in spot as the 10th seed in the West alive, Cuban held a rare session with reporters.
Despite Irving’s expiring contract, Dallas took a gamble before the February trade deadline with the blockbuster deal for Irving. This gave the franchise its first duo of All-Star starters, including Luka Doncic.
The Mavericks have slipped in the standings since then, in part because of injuries to both stars, but Cuban maintains the move was made for the long term. Still, Cuban stopped short of declaring Irving’s return a must.
“Cuban, who previously regularly spoke to reporters before games until locker room access was altered a few years ago, stated, “We want to retain Kyrie, but it’s not a must-have situation. I have ceased issuing ultimatums on players like I did the previous year.”
Cuban stated that it was never the Mavericks’ plan for Doncic and Irving to serve as the core of the defense, thus the task ahead is to locate supporting components during the offseason.
After their victory against the Kings on Wednesday, does Dallas still have a chance to make the playoffs with only two games left?
This is assuming that the owner can persuade Irving to stay. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the rules in the new labor agreement, Cuban was not firm on contract terms.
“Cuban expressed, “I certainly want him to remain, and I believe we stand a good chance. I feel he’s satisfied here. He’s confirmed to me that he’s content here.”
Irving’s tenure of over three seasons in Brooklyn was marked by controversy. This included his inability to participate in numerous home games due to his refusal to get the COVID-19 vaccine and the backlash he received for tweeting a link to a film with antisemitic content. As a result of the tweet, Nike terminated its partnership with Irving.
“Cuban expressed, “I believe he’s a decent person. Everything I previously knew about Kyrie, based on what I read, is completely incorrect. People constantly email me about him and I always ask, ‘Do you even know him?’ Once you get acquainted with him, you’ll find him likable. He’s unique, not like every other guy or athlete. In my opinion, that’s a good thing.”
Doncic and Irving have a record of 5-11 when playing together, going into Friday’s home game against Chicago.
This season, Luka has faced a series of injuries, casting doubt on the Mavericks’ playoff ambitions.
Jason Kidd stated about Luka Doncic, “He will play the first quarter and then his season is finished.”
Kidd subsequently softened his declaration of “for the season”, but that is the plan.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 7, 2023
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
