Dallas Mavs' Josh Green Returns from Injury vs. Miami Heat; Dereck Lively II Update

Mavs forward Josh Green is set to return to the team's lineup after recovering from an ankle injury. When will Dereck Lively II be back?

Mar 1, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) drives the ball / David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

MIAMI — The Dallas Mavericks will have Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in the lineup when they face the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. After the Mavs clinched a top-six playoff seed, there is speculation about the team finding resting opportunities for key players with two games left.

The Mavs began Wednesday with an injury report that included Josh Green (right ankle sprain) as questionable to play. He was upgraded to available before the game.

Mavs coach Jason Kidd described the plan for Green's workload in returning to the lineup as playing "15 minutes or so." The team is motivated to get him back into a rhythm before the playoffs and has two regular season games beyond Wednesday's matchup to do so.

"We'll play him around [15 minutes] and see how he feels in those first five [minutes]," Green said. "But that's the goal, to get him back into the fold. Hopefully, the experience is good, so he can continue to play the last two [games]."

Maxi Kleber went from being probable with back spasms to being available. However, Dereck Lively II remains sidelined and is expected to miss the Mavs' remaining two regular season games.

"Most likely will be without D Live for the last two [games]," Kidd said.

With the Mavs set to face the Detroit Pistons on Friday followed by a showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon to conclude the regular season, it remains to be seen how much the team will play Doncic or Irving — if at all.

"We're both coming off a back-to-back. Both teams are fighting for positioning in the playoffs," Kidd said. "We got a great test tonight against the Heat. We can think about that tomorrow on the flight home.

Doncic had a busy summer playing at the FIBA World Cup, but he stated he's used to that workload now and feels good. Regardless, if the Mavs get placed in the fifth seed without the ability to move, there'll be a clear opportunity for the Slovenian superstar to rest.

"I'm now used to playing all summer," Doncic said. "A lot of games, so a lot of games under my legs. That's about it. I feel good.

Irving has participated in 30 straight games and stands to earn a $1 million bonus if the Mavs can secure a victory over the Heat. To qualify for this incentive, he must appear in 58 games, while Dallas needs to accumulate 50 wins. Currently, the team's record is 49-30, with Irving having taken part in 57 games.