Ailing Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving Practice Ahead Of Lakers-Mavericks Game

Could Dallas' two All-Stars return in time for LA?

Your Los Angeles Lakers will continue their efforts to beat Lone Star State teams tomorrow when they host the erratic Dallas Mavericks.

Unfortunately, what had previously looked like it was going to be a cakewalk could become a bit more intense, as Dallas All-Stars Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic both joined the team in a practice today, as Marc Stein reports.

Irving is dealing with a foot injury, while Doncic is struggling through a thigh ailment.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was cagey about their availability, but considering that prior to this it seemed dicey they would play at all, this ultimately is a depressing development for Lakers fans. Here's hoping they take their sweet time as they recover from their respective ailments. At least we can take some solace in the fact that, like the Lakers without Anthony Davis, they even a healthy Dallas doesn't play defense.

Th Mavericks clearly had hoped that trading for Irving -- who had been a target of the Lakers as well prior to this season's trade deadline -- would elevate them to title contention. In fact, losing talented starters Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith for Irving, not to mention an unprotected first-round draft pick, has done the exact opposite. Dallas has gone 7-9 since adding the eight-time All-Star to its ranks, and is now, like LA, a play-in team. Irving is an unrestricted free agent this season, and has not indicated that he has any particular loyalty to the Mavericks.

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