NEW ORLEANS — The Dallas Mavericks will be without point guard Dennis Smith Jr. when they battle the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Smoothie King Center.

That means rookie Luka Doncic will likely start at point guard and will handle the ball more than he normally handles it.

Smith has a sprained right wrist. It’s the same wrist that forced him to sit out the 113-104 win over the Boston Celtics on Nov. 24.

“He’ll be out tonight and I think he will be listed as day-to-day,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “He fell on (the wrist) late in the game (against Portland) last night, which was unlucky.”

Dorian Finney-Smith started in place of Smith against Boston and will also start against the Pelicans.

The game against the Celtics was a game where Doncic struck first, scoring nine points on 3-of-3 shots from 3-point range in rapid-like fashion, and also distributing five assists — all in the first quarter.

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