Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (ankle) has been ruled out for a second consecutive game while he deals with a right ankle sprain. Despite not playing in their last game against the New York Knicks, the Mavericks were able to squeak by with a win behind Kyrie Irving's 44 points. Doncic's ankle sprain must be a bad one to keep him out of this contest against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday because it could mean a lot when it comes to playoff seeding. They're a half-game behind the Pelicans and a win would put them in the sixth seed instead of potentially the play-in. While Doncic is out, Irving's usage should skyrocket again while Tim Hardaway Jr. will also see a boost in minutes.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving put up both a season-high and his highest scoring output while wearing a Mavs jersey. The superstar combo guard finished the 128-124 win on Thursday night with 44 points on 15-for-26 shooting and added 10 assists, four rebounds, two steals, five turnovers, and six made threes in the process. Luka Doncic (ankle) ended up missing the game and the Knicks were coming into it as the hottest team in 2024. Irving was up to his usual magic tricks with the ball while scoring from everywhere on the floor. His usage and fantasy value skyrockets every time Doncic is sidelined, so fantasy managers will want to look out for that as the season progresses.

Dallas Mavericks forward/center Maxi Kleber (toe) is listed as doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Knicks. He's been out since Nov. 8, and it seems unlikely Kleber will return on Thursday. The German is recovering from a right small toe dislocation. Before getting hurt, Kleber managed to make only five appearances for the Mavericks, posting 3.4 points and 4.2 rebounds. He's never been a reliable fantasy piece, although Dallas could really use an extra big body right now, as Dereck Lively II (ankle) has also run into health issues.

Dallas Mavericks guard Dante Exum (heel) will miss a fifth consecutive game Thursday versus the Knicks. The 28-year-old is trying to overcome a right plantar strain. Exum had an impressive spell in the team before getting hurt. He has averaged 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.4 assists as a starter this season. Josh Green has stepped into the starting five in Exum's absence, but he hasn't been a reliable source for consistent fantasy value, and Green even went scoreless in 23 minutes against Memphis on Tuesday.

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (ankle) won't play on Thursday against New York. He battled through an ankle sprain in Tuesday's matchup against Memphis but will take Thursday off. Doncic's absence could result in a massive performance from Kyrie Irving, who will have all the keys to the offense. Meanwhile, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jaden Hardy should get extra burn off the bench, with Dante Exum (heel) also unavailable for the Mavericks.