WATCH: Mavs' Kyrie Irving On-Court Workout Amid Right Thumb Sprain Recovery

Mavs superstar Kyrie Irving went through an on-court workout before the team faced the Timberwolves on Wednesday night as he recovers from a right thumb sprain.

MINNEAPOLIS — Dallas Mavericks superstar Kyrie Irving (right thumb sprain) was ruled out for a fifth consecutive game before the team tipped off against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. 

In addition to Irving being sidelined, the Mavs played without Luka Doncic (right ankle sprain), Dereck Lively II (broken nose), Derrick Jones Jr. (left wrist sprain), and Dante Exum (right knee bursitis) against the Timberwolves. 

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Before Wednesday's game began, Irving worked with Mavs assistant coach God Shammgod while having his hand wrapped. He went through a full range of shooting and finishing reps, as he tends to do before preparing to play. 

While a return timetable has not been provided by the Mavs about Irving, it's undoubtedly a positive development that he went through this workout. He did not go through a pre-game on-court workout before any of the team's other games played while he dealt with his current injury. 

A particular sequence that shows progression in Irving's recovery is the ending of his workout, featuring a tough right-handed finish attempt. It takes a lot of balance and precision to execute a finger roll of that nature. 

When Irving first discussed the impact of his thumb injury that he suffered against the Boston Celtics in a loss on January 22, he mentioned how he won't make excuses for himself when he does play through the injury since this is a time of the season when players around the league just aren't going to be 100 percent. 

“I’m not going to make any excuses for myself,” Irving said after his injury. “It’s going to hurt. I don’t think anybody in the NBA is 100 percent night-to-night. So I’m not going to make any excuses.”

In the same press conference, Irving mentioned how the team doctor diagnosed him with a right thumb sprain after undergoing an X-ray. When he does play while recovering, it'll be essential to wear a protective measure to prevent a rival player from making contact to worsen it. 

"Yeah, I got an X-ray right after the game. Our doctor said it's just a right-hand sprain," Irving expained. "Just wear this as a protective measure and try to avoid people swiping down the next few games and put the ball in a shot pocket where they can't swipe down, and hopefully, I don't get injured again."

Mavs Injury Updates: Dereck Lively II to Get Fitted for Mask After Broken Nose

Lively is expected to be fitted for a face mask after suffering a broken nose against the Orlando Magic on Monday night. Doncic has managed a right ankle sprain for a while but will have four days off from his last performance before the Mavs play next. Both players stayed in Dallas instead of traveling with the team to Minneapolis. Each of their playing statuses remains to be seen until closer to Saturday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center.

Jones and Exum continue to recover from their injuries, but their status is not updated. Both players emerged as starting options for the Mavs, making them especially important injury recoveries to monitor. 

The Mavs return to action on Saturday when they face the Milwaukee Bucks at American Airlines Center before departing for a three-game East Coast road trip.