Mavs at Spurs Preview: Dallas Desperate: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving Update

The Mavericks face the Spurs on Wednesday night. Injuries to superstars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving provide Dallas with a legitimate concern.

"No one's dying," Jason Kidd uttered following the Dallas Mavericks' 104-88 loss to the Memphis Grizzles. 

That is technically true.

No one is dying, but the idea of the Mavericks as a contender indeed is on life support as they’re below .500 with an injured and shallow roster. 

Still, the season isn't over, and with the San Antonio Spurs hosting Wednesday's game, the chance of climbing out of the hole presents itself. 

Luka Doncic's thigh hasn't miraculously healed, and typically with strain injuries, time is needed. It's best for Dallas to allot whatever time is necessary rather than forcing Doncic on the court only to aggravate the injury. 

Likewise, Kyrie Irving's foot injury seems like it's nagging.

Possibly without both of their stars, the Mavs must inject the youth of Josh Green and Jaden Hardy into the mix. 

Similar to Dallas, San Antonio has a few injuries to its roster. 

In the end, the Mavs' frontcourt may play a pivotal part in holding down the fort, mainly as the defensive last stand. 

The Mavericks’ available bigs played a combined 64 minutes and finished with 9 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 4 turnovers. They shot 4-16 FG, 0-9 3P, and 1-2 FT.

— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) March 14, 2023

If Christian Wood plays vs. the Spurs, Kidd has little choice but to deploy him. Although the two haven't seen eye-to-eye, they must come together for Dallas to get out of the hole that is the play-in tournament elligibilty. 

Averaging 17 points with a .627 true shooting mark, Wood's minutes can help.

Spurs vs. Mavericks Injury Report

San Antonio Spurs

• Khem Birch (QUESTIONABLE - knee)
• Malaki Branham (QUESTIONABLE - shoulder)
• Tre Jones (QUESTIONABLE - non-COVID illness)
• Romeo Langford (QUESTIONABLE - adductor)
• Jeremy Sochan (QUESTIONABLE - knee)
• Keldon Johnson (QUESTIONABLE - foot)
• Devin Vassell (QUESTIONABLE - injury management)
• Charles Bassey (OUT - knee)

Dallas Mavericks

• Luka Doncic (OUT - thigh)
• Tim Hardaway Jr. (QUESTIONABLE - calf)
• Kyrie Irving (QUESTIONABLE - foot)
• Christian Wood (QUESTIONABLE - foot)
• Markieff Morris ( DOUTBFUL - knee)

RECORDS: Dallas Mavericks (34-35), San Antonio Spurs (18-50)

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 15, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. CT.

WHERE: AT&T Center (San Antonio, TX)

TV: Bally Sports Southwest, League Pass

RADIO: 97.1 The Freak

ODDS: The Mavericks are six-point favorites over the Spurs.

NEXT UP: The Los Angeles Lakers host the Mavs on Friday at 9:30 p.m. CT.

LAST WORD: Kidd's recent postgame comments suggest a "woe is me” demeanor that must be curbed. The coach must galvanize this franchise, which Is after all coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance. 

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