MEMPHIS – The Mavericks will err on the side of caution and sit Kyrie Irving Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Irving developed right foot soreness since Wednesday’s game against New Orleans. He missed practice on Friday to tend to a personal matter, then rejoined the team in Memphis for Saturday’s shootaround.
But he will not dress for the game.
“Yesterday, the soreness, playing him 41 minutes the other night (in New Orleans) with the absence yesterday and having him here today – he moved at shootaround but the soreness is a concern,” coach Jason Kidd said. “When we go back, we’ll take a look at that. Hopefully, he’s not out too long.”
Irving played 41 minutes against the Pelicans on the second night of a back-to-back.
“This morning, being aware of the soreness, he tried to go through shootaround, went through shootaround, and from that point felt like we had to take a look at it when we got back home,” Kidd said. “So the best thing is to sit him tonight.”
The loss of Irving obviously will tax the Mavericks’ depth, particularly with Luka Doncic back in Dallas, having already been ruled out with a left thigh strain.
The last time the Mavericks had a game when neither Doncic nor Irving played, they won at Utah 124-111 on the day after the Irving trade from Brooklyn became official and before he had joined the team.
On the bright side, Reggie Bullock (quad) and JaVale McGee (ankle) are cleared to play after dealing with injuries the last few games.
Advice for Morant: Jason Kidd, like Memphis’ Ja Morant, once was a young star in the NBA who wasn’t always controversy-free.
Morant is out at least three more games, including Saturday’s, after a string of incidents that the team deemed worthy of a temporary separation.
Speaking with the voice of experience, he said the Grizzlies and Morant both could benefit from this when it passes.
“Ja’s a special person on and off the floor,” Kidd said. “Sometimes we anoint everyone a little too fast. Just understanding he’s one of the best players in the league, understanding that no one’s perfect. We all make mistakes.
“And to be able to, I think, have some one that you can always talk to that will not judge you and will give you the right advice. And so, hopefully with the time away from the team, he’ll become better, he’ll become stronger, on and off the floor, and then he’ll be able to share his story to be a leader and a mentor for the next young star in this league.”
Artists rewarded with trip: Members of the Mavericks’ community team hosted the winners of the Mavericks’ art contest in conjunction with black history month to the weekend in Memphis.
The students spent time in Memphis doing touristy things and visiting the museums before taking in the Mavericks-Grizzlies game Saturday.
The five middle and high-school art contest winners from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area spent the weekend learning about the rich history of Memphis. They visited the civil-rights museum, enjoyed soul food (and music) and took in the Ain’t Too Proud musical at the historic Orpheus theatre.
The kids were chaperoned by Maverick staffers and were treated to their flights, spending money, Mavs gear and all expenses while in Memphis.
Twitter: @ESefko
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