Game Preview: Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies; How Will Luka Doncic’s Mavs Respond After Kyrie Irving Injury?

Following a win that saw star Kyrie Irving fall with a heel contusion, the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies.

With whispers of the return of their star point guard Ja Morant getting louder, the Memphis Grizzlies host an injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks squad that saw star point guard Kyrie Irving go down with a scary foot injury in their latest win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Luckily, with Irving's injury only being diagnosed as a heel contusion, his return to the team will hopefully be sooner than later, but in the meantime, Luka Doncic is back as the undisputed first option, looking to build on what has already been an impressive MVP campaign. 

Following a win that saw star Kyrie Irving fall with a heel contusion, the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies / Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Doncic heads to Memphis in pursuit of his seventh straight 30-point game, along with what could be the Mavs’ third-straight win, whereas the Grizzlies look to get back on track after a 24-point blowout to the Minnesota Timberwolves Friday night. The Mavs also hope to get back at the Grizzlies for taking a game from them at home in the American Airlines Center just over a week ago.

With plenty of motivation to take the win in Memphis, the only thing keeping the Mavs from their third win in a week’s time will be the play of Grizzlies stars Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. Bane, who scored 30 points in the teams' last meeting.

Injury Report:

Dallas Mavericks:

• Kyrie Irving (OUT- Heel)
• Josh Green (OUT- Elbow)
• Maxi Kleber (OUT- Toe)
• Grant Williams (OUT- Knee)
• Greg Brown III (OUT- G-League Two-Way)
• Dexter Dennis (OUT- G-League Two-Way)

Memphis Grizzlies:

• Ja Morant (OUT- Suspension)
• Marcus Smart (OUT- Foot)
• Steven Adams (OUT- Knee)
• Brandon Clarke (OUT- Achilles)
• Luke Kennard (OUT- Knee)
• Jake LaRavia (QUESTIONABLE- Eye)
• GG Jackson (OUT- G-League Two-Way)

Records: Dallas Mavericks (13-8), Memphis Grizzlies (6-15)

Where: FedExForum (Memphis, TN)

When: Monday, December 11, 2023, at 7:00PM CT

TV: NBA TV, NBA League Pass

Radio: 97.1 The Freak

Odds: Mavericks -2.5

Mavs Step Back:

Next Up: The Mavs head back home to face off with Lebron James and In-Season Tournament champion Los Angeles Lakers at AAC on Tuesday. The Mavs hope that they can be fully healthy for a matchup against arguably the hottest team in the NBA right now.

Final Word: "We have (a lot of players) down, and the guys have been able to step up," said Dante Exum after their win over the Portland Trail Blazers Friday night. "Hopefully, he (Irving) is not out for too long, but we have a deep roster that's willing and ready to step up."