Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Trending up, but return still TBD
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Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said Saturday that Irving will remain out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets but is "trending in the right direction" in his recovery from a bulging disc in his back, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports. "He did some shooting, and that was it," Kidd said of Irving. "Hopefully we get him back soon."
Irving will miss his fourth consecutive game and his second in a row due to what the Mavericks are officially labeling as a lumbar back sprain, after the first two absences were attributed to an illness. Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon of ESPN reported Monday that Irving would miss at least 1-to-2 weeks with the disc issue, and given that the veteran guard isn't yet practicing, he would appear to be trending toward the longer side of that timeline. At this point, Irving should probably be viewed as doubtful for the Mavericks' upcoming Tuesday/Wednesday back-to-back set versus the Nuggets and Pelicans, respectively.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: To miss 1-to-2 weeks
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Irving has a bulging disc in his back and is expected to miss at least one-to-two weeks, ESPN's Shams Charania reports.
Irving was already ruled out for Monday's game against Memphis due to an illness for his second straight absence, but now the star guard is looking at an extended absence. Charania reports that the Mavericks will have a better idea of a return date once they start treatment, but this is a tough blow for a roster that is already without Luka Doncic (calf). During the short term, Spencer Dinwiddie, Jaden Hardy and Quentin Grimes will receive the bulk of the backcourt minutes without Irving in the mix.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Won't play Monday
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Irving (illness) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Grizzlies, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Irving was a late scratch ahead of Friday's game against the Cavaliers due to an illness and will remain sidelined Monday, joining Luka Doncic (calf), who remains out for an extended period. With Dallas' backcourt shorthanded, Quentin Grimes, Jaden Hardy, Spencer Dinwiddie and Brandon Williams remain candidates for increased roles.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Late scratch against Cleveland
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Irving (illness) has been downgraded to out for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
After not appearing on the initial injury report, Irving is a late scratch due to an illness Friday. The superstar guard's next chance to play comes during Monday's showdown with the Grizzlies. With Luka Doncic (calf) already sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes figure to soak up additional minutes and ball-handling responsibilities in a tough matchup against the 29-4 Cavaliers, and Klay Thompson should see a major boost in usage as well.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Well-rounded effort in defeat
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Irving ended Wednesday's 110-99 loss to the Rockets with 16 points (7-13 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks in 37 minutes.
Irving didn't score at an elite level Wednesday, though he still stuffed the stat sheet with a season-high mark in blocks. The star guard has now delivered three or more steals-plus-blocks in seven outings, and he racked up three-plus steals in five of those matchups. Over his last 10 appearances, Irving has averaged 24.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks across 35.9 minutes per contest. He has also shot 42.1 percent from beyond the arc over that 10-game span.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Off injury report
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Irving (shoulder) was removed from the injury report for Wednesday's game against Houston.
Irving has been dealing with a shoulder injury, which kept him out of Monday's game against the Kings. However, he appears ready to return to the floor Wednesday when the Mavericks take on the Rockets in Houston, as he has been taken off the team's injury report. With Luka Doncic (calf) sidelined, Irving should see all the usage he can handle.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Ruled out for Monday
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Irving won't play against the Kings on Monday due to right shoulder soreness.
Irving was a very late addition to the injury report with an issue that he's dealt with previously this season. For now, fantasy managers can consider him questionable for Wednesday's game against Houston. Irving was terrific in his last outing, finishing with 46 points (16-26 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 9-9 FT), two rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 39 minutes during Saturday's 126-122 loss to the Trail Blazers. With Irving out, Spencer Dinwiddie and Klay Thompson could see increased usage, and Jaden Hardy could get a big opportunity.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Paces team with 46 points
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Irving recorded 46 points (16-26 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 9-9 FT), two rebounds, two assists, one block and two steals in 39 minutes during Saturday's 126-122 loss to the Trail Blazers.
Dallas will depend on huge numbers from Irving to keep the team afloat in the Western Conference, and his massive total during the losing effort was a great example of what's required without Luka Doncic's (calf) services. The timely acquisition of Spencer Dinwiddie is helping to fill the gap, but Irving's production is absolutely necessary for the team to succeed.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Leading scorer in tight win
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Irving contributed 20 points (6-21 FG, 5-10 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, five assists and one steal in 40 minutes during Friday's 98-89 win over the Suns.
The veteran guard scored at least 15 points and drained at least one three-pointer for the eighth straight appearance, a stretch in which he's averaging 23.3 points, 4.4 assists, 3.6 boards, 3.4 threes and 0.9 steals while shooting 43.5 percent from beyond the arc. With Luka Doncic (calf) on the shelf, likely until February, Irving could see his distribution numbers increase, but his five assists Friday were right in line with his season average.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Puts on show despite loss
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Irving racked up 39 points (14-27 FG, 5-14 3Pt, 6-6 FT), four rebounds, two assists and one block across 37 minutes during Wednesday's 105-99 loss to the Timberwolves.
Irving put the Mavericks on his back, helping the team rally from a 28-point deficit, ultimately falling just short of the mark. Luka Doncic played just 16 minutes before a calf injury forced him to the sideline. Initial reports indicate the medical staff are preparing for an extended absence for Doncic, meaning Irving is going to be tasked with doing a lot of the heavy lifting moving forward.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Logs 20 points in victory
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Irving accumulated 20 points (7-14 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), three rebounds, two assists, one block and one steal in 29 minutes during Monday's 132-108 win over the Trail Blazers.
Irving showed significant improvement after netting only 15 points in his return from a one-game absence. While Irving can produce with relative ease during a Luka Doncic absence, the All-Star's return slightly increases Irving's variance as a fantasy prospect. Doncic's presence curtails Irving's success in secondary categories, which he needs to offset an occasional poor shooting performance.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Poor shooting in return
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Irving (shoulder) produced 15 points (6-25 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 1-1 FT), three rebounds and six assists over 38 minutes during Saturday's 113-97 win over the Clippers.
Irving returned to action Saturday after missing Dallas' previous contest, providing a lift offensively while ending as one of three Mavericks with 15 or more points and handing out a team-high-tying assist total. Irving should see his production increase as he gets back to 100 percent, so expect the veteran guard to continue to improve as he remains on the court and recovers from that shoulder injury.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: No longer on injury report
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Irving (shoulder) is not on the injury report and will be available for Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Irving missed the 118-95 loss to the Clippers on Thursday, but the veteran floor general will be able to return Saturday for the rematch. He should handle a significant role on offense right away, as the Mavericks will be without Luka Doncic (heel) for a second straight game. Irving is averaging 23.9 points and 5.3 assists per game this season, but those numbers rise to 25.6 points and 6.5 assists per game in contests for which Doncic has been ruled out.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Practices Friday
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Irving (shoulder) participated in Friday's practice, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Irving is seemingly on the mend ahead of Saturday's game against the Clippers after missing Thursday's loss to the Clippers due to right shoulder soreness. The superstar's status for Saturday should be updated Friday night, and his presence at practice bodes well for his potential return to game action. If Irving remains sidelined, Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie are candidates for increased roles.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Won't play vs. Clippers
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Irving (shoulder) is out for Thursday's game against the Clippers, Brad Townsend of The Dallas Morning News reports.
Irving was initially listed as questionable to play Thursday, but he didn't receive clearance and will be sidelined for the third time this season. Quentin Grimes is expected to take his place in the starting lineup, while Irving's next chance to play will come against the Clippers in a rematch Saturday.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Deemed questionable
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Irving (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Thursday's game against the Clippers, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Irving was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, but he'll carry a questionable tag into Thursday's tilt. With Luka Doncic (heel) sidelined, Irving would be in line for more usage if healthy. Irving averaged 26.2 points, 6.6 assists, 6.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals during a five-game stretch in November with Doncic idle.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Practices in full
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Irving (shoulder) was able to practice Wednesday, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Irving missed practice Tuesday due to right shoulder soreness, but coach Jason Kidd didn't mention him when discussing the injury report, which suggests that it's a minor issue. Irving's fantasy managers can pencil him into lineups for Thursday's game against the Clippers but should check for official confirmation when the updated injury report is released Wednesday evening.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Misses practice Tuesday
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Irving did not practice Tuesday due to right shoulder soreness, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Luka Doncic (heel) also missed practice, though it's possible both players were given the day off more so for rest than due to their listed injuries. The Mavericks will return to action Thursday against the Clippers.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Scores 21 points in win
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Irving supplied 21 points (8-16 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 4-5 FT), three rebounds and eight assists over 35 minutes during Sunday's 143-133 win over Golden State.
Irving, Luka Doncic and Klay Thompson combined for 95 points as the Mavericks picked up their seventh win out of their last eight games. Irving has been a top-20 player in nine-category formats during that stretch, averaging 23.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 3.5 three-pointers.
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Mavericks' Kyrie Irving: Chips in 29 points vs. Toronto
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Irving amassed 29 points (9-14 FG, 6-9 3Pt, 5-5 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and two steals in 39 minutes during Saturday's 125-118 win over the Raptors.
Irving and Luka Doncic combined for 59 points in Saturday's victory to extend the Mavericks' winning streak to a league-best seven games. Irving tied a season high with six three-point makes, which he has done five times this season. Over his last 10 outings, he's averaged 23.6 points per game while shooting 42.7 percent from three on 8.2 3PA/G, adding 5.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 steals over 35.1 minutes per contest.
