Kyrie Irving (knee) downgraded to doubtful

Irving is back after sitting out Saturday’s loss to the Spurs, which was the Mavericks’ second game in as many nights. With Naji Marshall (illness) out, Irving’s return won’t be the reason that a spot starter heads to the bench.

As expected, Irving will not suit up for the Mavericks contest against the Spurs on a second leg of a back-to-back. Marcus Sasser will get the start at point guard.

Irving is listed as questionable for left knee injury management reasons. If he’s able to go he’ll be the top option for the Mavericks with Cooper Flagg (shoulder) sidelined. If not, Dallas doesn’t stand much of a chance against the Spurs without their two best players.

Kyrie looks exactly like what you would be hoping for coming off the Achilles injury. He’s still very shifty and dynamic. He took over the Mavericks offense once Cooper Flagg left the game and helped the Mavericks get a win. You’d want some more assists, but it’s hard to complain too much given the fact that he just got back from an Achilles injury.

Irving played 23 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Rockets, his first game since suffering a torn ACL on March 3, 2025. Given the time away from competitive basketball, Kyrie’s limited minutes are not a surprise. May did not disclose in his pregame availability whether Irving will be available for Saturday’s game against the Spurs.

Irving was limited to just 23 minutes against the Rockets Wednesday as he was returning from injury. The 34-year-old point guard missed all of last season with a torn ACL and a calf strain. Irving still scored 15 points on nine attempts in those 23 minutes. Expect his minutes and production to increase as the Mavericks ease him into the beginning of the regular season.

Christie and Flagg were the only starters to take on that role in the Mavericks’ final game of the 2025-26 season. Irving, Washington, and Gafford are back from injury and will round out the starting five on Opening Night. It’s unclear whether Irving’s minutes will be limited, but don’t be surprised if the Mavericks don’t ask him to take on a full workload immediately.

Clayton signed a two-way contract today with the Dallas Mavericks and will be available to play. Given that he’s on a two-way, its unlikely that he impacts many fantasy leagues early on in the year.

The Grizzlies waived Clayton earlier this week and he subsequently cleared waivers. The 23-year-old guard wasn’t a free agent for long, though, as the Mavericks scooped him up on a two-way contract. A former first-round pick in 2025, Clayton will try to carve out a role for himself under first-year head coach Dusty May.

The 18th overall pick in the 2025 draft, Clayton was traded from Utah to Memphis as part of the Jaren Jackson Jr. deal in February. Even with the Grizzlies’ point guard rotation in flux due to injuries and a desire to trade Ja Morant, Clayton couldn’t carve out a consistent role in Memphis. Earlier Monday, the Grizzlies reportedly hoped to trade WCJ, but they couldn’t make a deal happen. As for Peavy, the Grizzlies acquired him from the Pelicans in the summer along with Jordan Hawkins, who was waived earlier in the preseason.