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The Dallas Mavericks have ruled Kyrie Irving probable for Wednesday’s matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Irving has been dealing with right foot soreness over the last few weeks.
“Uncle Drew” didn’t look like he was bothered by his right foot in the Mavericks’ 132-130 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday. Irving was spectacular in dropping a game-high 41 points on 16-27 shooting from behind the field.
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The loss to the Hawks kept them in the 11th spot in the Western Conference, desperately hoping to still get into the play-in tournament. Reports came out yesterday that the Dallas Mavericks were seriously considering shutting down Irving and Luka Doncic.
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“Luka Legend” has asserted that he will play on Wednesday night against the Sacramento Kings. Kyrie Irving hasn’t.
The Dallas Mavericks, however, haven't played since losing to the Atlanta Hawks in overtime on Apr. 2. Barring any setback, "Uncle Drew" should be alongside Luka Doncic in the Mavs' backcourt.
If "Luka Legend" insists he will play, the Mavericks will not even think of shutting down Kyrie Irving. Dallas fans can expect both of them to be on the court tonight leading the team against the Sacramento Kings.
Kyrie Irving has done everything he can to help the Dallas Mavericks
Kyrie Irving has done nothing but play his best since the Dallas Mavericks acquired him from the Brooklyn Nets. The 2016 NBA champ is averaging 26.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 19 games with the Mavericks.
Dallas' free fall from the 4th spot in the Western Conference to 11th isn’t on his shoulders.
The Mavericks' offense since acquiring Irving has been the best in the entire NBA. Their 120.0 ORTG is better than the Sacramento Kings' 119.1 offensive rating.
Dallas expected this when they traded for one of the NBA's best scorers. The sacrifice the Mavericks had to make was on the defensive end, particularly when they lost Dorian Finney-Smith.
When Finney-Smith was shipped to Brooklyn, the Mavericks couldn't find a substitute for his perimeter defense. Dallas was already 24th (114.9) in defensive rating when the no-nonsense forward was chasing the opposing team's best player.
Without Finney-Smith, the Mavericks' defensive rating has plummeted to 119.7, the worst in the league. Dallas are only 1-7 in their last eight games. Their defensive rating during that stretch dropped to 121.2.
Kyrie Irving has never been known to be one of the game's elite defenders. When he's engaged and determined, he's solid on that end at best.
The Mavericks got what they wanted after the blockbuster trade. Irving has done his part. It just hasn't worked out for the team at the most unfortunate time.
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