DALLAS — Kyrie Irving is set to rejoin the Dallas Mavericks for their matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday evening after sidelined for one game due to shoulder discomfort. Unfortunately, his teammate Luka Doncic will be absent for the second straight game following a contusion to his left heel.

Despite Doncic’s absence, the Mavericks have managed to secure a 5-2 record. Doncic, who ranks fifth in the NBA with an impressive average of 28.9 points per game, has also recorded triple-doubles in three of his last four appearances. His most recent performance was a standout game on Sunday, where he scored 45 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and delivered 13 assists, contributing to a nail-biting 143-133 victory over the Golden State Warriors.

Kyrie Irving currently holds an average of 23.9 points per game, placing him 18th in the league rankings. The Mavericks faced the challenge of missing both of their star guards in Thursday’s game against the Clippers, resulting in a disappointing loss of 118-95—a performance that marked both their worst defeat of the season and recorded their lowest point total.