Dallas Mavs Notebook: Starting Lineup Around Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving; Practices Resume

The Dallas Mavs resumed practices after returning from a 12-day global preseason trip. The team is dealing with injuries, including Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

DALLAS — After returning from an international preseason trip that spanned 12 days and multiple continents, the Dallas Mavericks have one preseason game remaining while still needing to establish a complete starting lineup. 

Three confirmed starters for the Mavs entering training camp were Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Grant Williams. Dereck Lively II will likely start at five to begin the season. To complete the group, who will start on the wings remains to be seen.

"Look at what Lively has done here on this trip. He's doing extremely well starting with the starters," Kidd said after the Mavs' loss to Real Madrid. "He's doing everything to start. We're probably going to bring O-Max off the bench if the season was to start tomorrow."

So far, two of the Mavs' three preseason games have seen Josh Green come off the bench. Despite Green remaining viable, the coaching staff remains open to experimentation. However, Green's status remains unclear for Friday's game against the Detroit Pistons after landing hard on his back on Monday. 

"We're going to continue to look at different combinations because of health, and we'll see which one we'll use for opening night," Kidd said after Monday's practice. "We probably look at Friday, rolling out some different guys starting, and we'll go from there."

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Derrick Jones Jr. has played his way into contention for a starting role. As part of the Mavs' defensive reshaping, he is valued for his athleticism, length, and versatility.

Mavs Injury Updates: Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, Jaden Hardy & Josh Green

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic pulling up for a jumper against Real Madrid at WiZink Center in Spain / Pedro Castillo-Real Madrid

Doncic had an MRI done after returning to the United States from the Mavs' 12-day international trip that featured stops in Abu Dhabi and Madrid. His return date will be determined by re-evaluation later this week.

"Luka injured his calf at our practice in Madrid, and that's why he played limited minutes [against Real Madrid]," Kidd said on Monday. "He had an MRI when he got back home, so he has a mild strain to the left calf, and he will miss Friday's game but will be re-evaluated later this week." 

In Madrid, Doncic described his injury as "nothing serious" and mentioned that the team would be cautious because of needing to prepare for the regular season.

"It was my calf yesterday in practice, nothing serious," Doncic said in Madrid. "They just don't want to make it worse, you know? I tried to go and talk to the front office people, but you know me, I wish I played 40 minutes but couldn't."

A groin injury forced Irving to miss the Mavericks' previous two preseason games, but he was a full participant in Monday's practice. Irving's participation against the Pistons will depend on how he feels. He was a full participant in Tuesday's practice.

"Kyrie Irving participated in today's whole practice, and he was great," Kidd said on Tuesday. 

Jaden Hardy and Green were added to the Mavs' injury report on Tuesday. Hardy experienced an ankle injury in practice on Tuesday, but his status remains to be determined before Friday's game. As mentioned, Green landed hard on his back on Monday and could not participate in Tuesday's practice.

"Jaden Hardy sprained his ankle today, so he's getting treatment, so we'll see how he feels," Kidd said on Tuesday. "Josh Green hurt himself yesterday; he fell on his back and was out today. We'll see how he feels, and hopefully, he practices on Thursday."

Although the Mavs remain optimistic about Doncic's chances of playing on Oct. 25, they are uncertain if he will be available. 

Mavs Found Value in 12-Day International Trip Despite Injuries

Dallas Mavericks players helping with a youth clinic in NYU Abu Dhabi :: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images

The Mavs resumed regular practices on Monday after returning from Madrid. Before the team departed for Abu Dhabi, there was a sense that value would be gained by building personal bonds. After returning, the team feels they benefited from having those experiences as a collective.

"I think it helped us from a basketball perspective, just understanding where we are and each other as people," Mavs forward Grant Williams said on Monday. "I feel like the best teams are always the ones who can understand each other from a deep level; even if they're not the closest, they understand the person for themselves. They can then grow with their play on the floor. 

The Mavs already know the areas they must emphasize as a group as they prepare for the regular season. The team is aware that while there remain points of emphasis to be worked out, the process cannot be rushed. 

"When it comes to basketball, I think that we understood that some of the weaknesses that we get back, and making sure that we don't bring those into the season is going to be critical," Williams said. "I think that every single person here has confidence in the group and also confidence in their play. 

"We're excited about the next steps because, you know, you know, you just want to get going with the real thing, but you can't rush it," Williams explained. "We're just taking every step day by day. We had a great practice today, and we're trying to keep going."

The players were able to gain familiarity with their new teammates and various members of a coaching staff that underwent various changes in the summer. While sustaining the same level of on-court reps with international travel may have been challenging, the team established closer relationships. The players could also spend time with their families before the grind of an 82-game season begins. 

"It was great team bonding," Mavs wing Tim Hardaway Jr. said. "It was a great way for guys to get to know one another on and off the floor and each other's tendencies getting to know the coaching staff and new coaches on the staff. It was fun, especially having family out there."

Another aspect of the Mavs' international trip that players enjoyed was the ability to spend time with their family. The team ended up losing, 

Mavs Have Key Focuses Before Season

Dallas Mavericks forward Grant Williams at the team practice facility :: Grant Williams / Twitter

Last season, the Mavs finished ranking 25th in defensive rating and 30th in total rebounding percentage, requiring them to work. The team is still getting used to playing alongside an essentially new group. Plenty of work is needed before the team fires on all cylinders. 

“There are a couple points of emphasis,” Williams said. “We got to get better principle-wise in our defense, ensuring we understand exactly what we’re trying to accomplish. We have to be better at our pace of play, understanding that when we advance the ball ahead, and we get open shots and play aggressively, it makes it so much easier for us on the offensive end rather than isolation in the half-court or trying to create something through a set.

“Lastly, just understanding we have to continue to grow and understand one another because when we got out there, you saw that we had potential and talent,” Williams explained. “Now we got to mix that. How do we figure out exactly what Tim Hardaway Jr. needs and help him be highly successful? How do we make Josh Green even more successful than he was? 

"We know how Luka and Kyrie will be consistently and what they play like, but how do we protect them on the defensive end? And do we understand what Derrick Jones Jr. provides when guarding the pick and roll? These are all different things that you learn. And being that it’s a new group, we have to do a better job of just understanding one another.”

Williams has already found ways to build familiarity with Doncic from the team's short time with them playing alongside each other in Abu Dhabi and Madrid. He provided an example of setting a screen against Karl-Anthony Towns late in the shot clock, which may be tenuous without greater familiarity.  

“If you saw me in one of those games against Minnesota, I came in and on the second play and got Karl-Anthony Towns into a screen late in the shot clock, and Luka either made a three or got fouled,” Williams said. “I asked him if he was OK with me doing that, understanding the late shot clock with the isolation. He said that was a good opportunity, good play. So it’s just a matter of feel. You communicate in the game and off the floor. It’s the same way watching film and being vocal. Understanding each other personally is going to be big for us.”

Continued Development of Dereck Lively II 

Dallas Mavericks rookie Dereck Lively II guarding Minnesota Timberwolves star Rudy Gobert at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates :: Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images

A significant factor for the Mavs' fate this season will be Lively's ongoing development as the defensive anchor. In his limited NBA playing experience, Lively faced tough matchups with Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, then dealt with a different style of play against Real Madrid. It was a quick crash course on professional basketball's physicality and skillful tactics for the 19-year-old. 

"He's doing a really good job. He's a rookie, he's going to make mistakes," Kidd said of Lively. 

For a detailed look at how Lively has performed as the Mavs' defensive anchor, watch my deep dive into his preseason action against the Timberwolves and Real Madrid. Lively showed plenty of intriguing flashes as a shot blocker and vertical threat in the paint. Naturally, there is plenty to work on ahead of the season regarding his timing, handling of physicality, and continued grasp of the scheme.

On Monday, the Mavs worked on ICE coverage and Veer switching. The idea behind ICE coverage is for the guard to be angled in a way that prevents the ball handler from dribbling off the screen, often by the defender having their back to the sideline to promote a rejection of the screen. 

The big is focused on keeping the guard in front to maintain verticality in the case of a finish attempt. However, not allowing the rim roller to get behind is essential. If needed, the big defender can call out a switch near the Veer line to keep the ball handler and rim roller from getting behind the play, neutralizing a possible advantage.

The Mavs' emphasis with the bigs and Olivier-Maxence Prosper on Tuesday featured working on technique when guarding the post. The goal was to fine-tune the lower body approach to maintain the center of gravity without fouling but doing so while also maintaining positioning to stay vertical in the contest. Former NBA players and current Mavs assistant coaches Tyson Chandler and Jared Dudley shared their expertise in the drill station.  

Kidd mentioned Lively has not been working with the starters this week, but the coaching staff remains pleased with how he's performed in either unit. Without Doncic being available to practice recently, the Mavs can utilize Lively with different combinations without sacrificing the opportunity to build chemistry between the team's intended long-term pick-and-roll tandem. 

"This week, he's not with the starters, which has helped him. He's been really good with both the first and second team," Kidd said of Lively. "He's a rookie and made some mistakes, but that's a given. We're just trying to put him in a situation and be successful, and he's doing the work, and we're happy with where he's at right now."

In Lively's early NBA action, he's remained a vocal member of the defense, which tends to be essential for a defensive anchor. 

"It's big," Kidd said of Lively's on-court communication. "You see the influence that Tyson has, being able to talk as a rookie. His voice, being the anchor of that group, whether it's the first group or second group, he's done a really good job."

Lively will focus on sharpening his understanding of the Mavs' defensive concepts so that real-time execution will come second nature to him. He's displayed impressive defensive instincts as a shot blocker, but the intricacies of coverages that require tough judgment calls also come with the need to understand timing and a greater familiarity with the capabilities of opposing NBA players. All of this comes with experience gained through live competition.  

"The next step is just the positioning of what he's saying. Once that matches, then he's going to be in a really good spot," Kidd said of Lively.