Tonight the Dallas Mavericks play the LA Clippers once again, but the question really on everybody’s mind is: will Luka Doncic finally play? Doncic, who has battled multiple injuries since the start of 2024-25, has still been a big help when healthy. His absence has slowly taken its toll on this ball club. With the Clippers being almost whole, this could be a real test for Dallas walking in.

Kyrie Irving has shined in the absence of Doncic, willing to put up strong performances although, will he be able to do it tonight? The Mavericks will find some variation as they go on without Maxi Kleber and into Derrick Jones Jr. On the other side, the Clippers want to rally behind Kawhi Leonard, making this a must-see showdown between two Western Conference contenders. Time to look deeper into their injury list and roster.

Mavs Injury Report & Depth Chart: Luka Out, Kyrie Questionable—How Will Dallas Adjust?

Doncic won’t be playing for the Dallas Mavericks tonight because of an injury to his left heel. The Dallas offense really suffers every time Luka goes off the court, as the superstar guard is averaging a sizzling-hot 28.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists. His absence will be sorely felt because of his fast-paced play and ability to create scoring opportunities. This puts even more pressure on his teammates to perform better.

Dante Exum is also out, trying to heal a right wrist injury. Although being a backup mostly, Dante has shown himself capable of being a reliable hand. Especially in defense and playmaking. This severely limits the options of the Mavs for a reliable guard to fill minutes.

Jaden Hardy will not be playing today ’cause of an injured right ankle. The sophomore guard has been a good scoring option off the bench with 6.5  points and 1.4 rebounds in limited minutes this season. His absence means even fewer offensive options for the Dallas squad that lacks offensive depth.

The biggest question mark is Kyrie Irving, who is questionable with a right shoulder issue. Given Luka’s absence, Irving’s presence is critical, as he’s averaging 23.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists this season. If he’s allowed to play, his leadership and scoring skills will be pivotal for the Mavericks to be competitive.

At last, Brandon Williams is out with a right thumb injury. He’s just played a sort of an underlying role in the team. His absence narrows down the guard rotation of the Dallas. This forces heavy reliance on the remaining players to maneuver through this difficult match.

With Luka out, Kyrie has done a great job in Dallas. He’s not just shouldered the scoring burden but has also shown leadership down the stretch. He dropped 26 points, grabbed 6, and dished out 3 assists to help the Mavs snag a critical win in their last game. Kyrie’s done enough late-game heroics to keep Dallas afloat, but can the dude keep this thing going now that Luka is out?

Let’s take a look at the Mavs’ Depth Chart:

Will Dallas Step Up Without Luka Doncic in This High-Stakes Rematch?

The Mavericks and Clippers have had tough rivalries in recent matches with plenty of theatrics in the course of their encounters. In their latest one, the Mavs took the loss over the Clippers. This game showed Dallas can still fight tough without their superstar but also reflected how their offense would struggle with Luka absent. The Clippers had their issues with stability, but the defense kept clinging on until the end. Now both teams are stepping up to face each other once again, so the stakes are high, and the Mavs will need a collective effort from all players to prevail against the Clippers.

LA has been tough on the Mavericks with their physical style of defense and more depth, creating issues for Dallas during their past matchups. Kawhi Leonard is definitely going to look for any holes in the Mavs’ lineup, especially if Doncic is not playing. The ‘Big D’ will need their role players to step up and give support offensively and in defense.

With momentum firmly against their side after a recent defeat, facing a fully fit Clippers squad without a Luka Doncic is no easy task. The pressure will buffer on Irving to produce some magic again, while the role players have to step up as well. Will Luka’s absence motivate the Mavs or will the Clippers once again assert their will?

Tip-off is coming soon, and this looks to be a monstrous showdown.