Luka Doncic missed yet another game. But not to worry as Kyrie Irving is on a tear lately. The Dallas Mavericks have so far dealt with multiple stretches of games without a win. Now that they’re on a roll with a 3-0 record, Jason Kidd’s men will be keen to better that. But their little plan can be hurled to the bin with one bad step against the Trail Blazers. Or is it time for Luka Doncic to return and stake his claim on the MVP race?

Mavericks vs Trail Blazers Injury Report

Mavericks: Though things have looked brighter in Dallas during Luka Doncic‘s absence, fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of the 25-year-old to the hardwood. The Slovenian star has missed the last five games due to a right wrist sprain. After attending practice on Friday and being listed as doubtful on Saturday ahead of the game against the Jazz, he was ultimately ruled out. Since then his status has not changed, but the Mavs may provide a last-minute update regarding his availability.

Joining him on the injury list is Klay Thompson, who is dealing with a left foot injury. Sunday’s game will mark the fifth straight game the swingman will miss. The Mavs recently added to the list Naji Marshall, who was sidelined during the second half of Saturday’s game due to an upper respiratory illness. His condition will also be observed before the final call. Meanwhile, Dante Exum will remain ruled out because of his right wrist surgery.

Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers have a lengthier injury list, but some of their faces could be spotted on the court tonight. Kris Murray, who has been out because of a sternum bruise, is listed as probable, while Scoot Henderson and Jerami Grant are both questionable. The former was sidelined with a quadriceps contusion, and Grant has been out with a sprained left knee that caused him to miss two back-to-back games.

Robert Williams III has not received clearance from the franchise due to his concussion, and neither have Matisse Thybulle and Donovan Clingan, who are sidelined with a Grade 2 right ankle sprain and a knee injury, respectively. This brings us closer to understanding how their potential roster could look. To get a clearer view, let’s take a quick look at the teams’ depth charts.

Mavericks vs Trail Blazers Depth Charts

Mavericks

Trail Blazers

The Mavericks have dominated the Portland side over the last three seasons, allowing them to win only 2 of 11 matchups. However, they still haven’t closed the gap created by Portland (90) in overall regular season wins. Nevertheless, the Mavericks are not far behind, with 85 victories and racing to catch their Western rivals. But will it be possible to cut the deficit by an inch tonight without the presence of Doncic?

For a while, the Mavs seemed to be entirely dependent on the partnership between Doncic and Kyrie. So, when Doncic went out, the burden was sure to fall on Kyrie’s shoulders. However, it would be unfair not to mention that the entire team stepped up to fill the void left by both Doncic and Klay’s absence. Will they be able to do it again?

The game is at the Moda Center, and the Blazers have proven to be strong on their home court, as shown in their last four games. It won’t be easy for the Mavs to hold back Deandre Ayton, who has been shining with his versatility on both ends of the court. Deni Avdija also cannot be taken lightly. The Blazers’ confidence has been boosted after their win over the Kings, so could it be their night? Let’s find out at 9:00 PM ET who has the last laugh in this thrilling clash.