The Dallas Mavericks are gearing up for their big game against the Boston Celtics, and they finally have some good news for fans: Kyrie Irving plans to return to the game. He has been medically cleared to compete and will lead the team, which has recently suffered several injury setbacks. The timing of Irving’s return turned out to be perfect for the Mavericks, who are defending their position in the Western Conference standings.
The Mavericks maintain their seventh position in the West standings at 24-21. They face tough competition in every game with Luka Doncic sitting out since Christmas. Irving’s return to the court improves the Mavericks’ matchup potential as they face a Celtics team looking for redemption after losing to the Lakers.
Mavs injury report: Irving back, but still a rough situation
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First, the good stuff: Kyrie Irving is back to reclaim his leadership position on the team. This season, Kai is averaging 24.5 points per game to tie for the top spot for the MAVS team. The veteran guard’s creative offensive skills give a fragile Dallas squad the edge it needs to stay competitive despite Doncic’s calf strain.
Now, the not so great news. Klay Thompson may not take the court tonight against Boston because of a sprained left ankle. Thompson’s shooting ability would create space on offense, but his projected appearance remains questionable. Jaden Hardy faces an uncertain place in tomorrow’s squad due to a sprained right ankle.
All of which leave the MAVS relying on inventive coaching decisions to manage their starters. And then there’s the laundry list of players who won’t respond. Doncic, Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell and Dante Exum are out.
Dallas Mavericks vs Boston Celtics Injury Report:
Klay Thompson: Questionable (sprained left ankle)
Jaden Hardy: Doubtful (right ankle sprain)
Dereck Lively II: Out (stress fracture of right ankle)
Naji Marshall: Out (disease)
Dwight Powell: Out (right hip strain)
Luke…– Grant Afseth (@Grantafseth) January 24, 2025
That’s a big part of the roster that’s missing, putting even more pressure on Irving and the rest of the healthy crew to step up.
Kyrie Irving’s leadership will make or break this game
The Mavericks need Kyrie Irving to be their leading scorer given their situation. The team is scoring 115.3 points per game for the position, which ranks them tenth in the league along with “Uncle Drew” as the primary contributor. His scoring ability combined with playmaking helps the Mavericks as their defense presents a tough test for Boston.
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through Imago
December 27, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) reacts after a first quarter play against the Phoenix Suns at the Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Celtics face numerous challenges along with other teams. Boston is struggling with a 7-5 record this January while Derrick White faces potential knee issues. The team shows its strength through its two talented leaders, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but remains weakest against the competition. Confused? Check out their latest performances.
The Mavs suffered a 117-96 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, their biggest loss of the season and lost to teams like the Orlando Magic. The Celtics also depend heavily on their star players, and if you look at everything as a whole, they look like a pretty weak team against the Mavericks at this point.
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Dallas, for its part, will need a sharp offense to build success in this matchup. Revolutions? They just can’t afford them! “Big D” gets a major advantage by getting Kyrie Irving back on the court. As such, they have to rely on his leadership as he contributes to scoring plays because Doncic and a host of other members of the team are dealing with injuries.
Having Klay Thompson and Jaden Hardy Play would be a great added asset for the team. No matter what happens, the Mavericks need to establish support around Irving as they maximize how his presence benefits them on the court. The upcoming battle against the Celtics will be tough, but with Kyrie taking charge, the Mavericks can win it all.