DALLAS — Mavericks star trade acquisition Kyrie Irving did not practice with the team Friday for personal reasons, coach Jason Kidd said after the workout.
“Excused absence,” Kidd said, “so hopefully he’ll be able to join us in Memphis.”
Irving’s potential absence Saturday night against the Grizzlies would add to the dearth of star power in a crucial Western Conference miniseries.
The Mavericks have ruled out Luka Doncic because of a left thigh strain that has bothered him for more than a week and forced him to leave Wednesday’s loss to the Pelicans late in the third quarter.
Kidd classified Doncic as “day-to-day” to return after he underwent an MRI Thursday that came back clean.
Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant will also miss the two consecutive contests against the Mavericks — Saturday in Memphis and Monday in Dallas — following multiple controversies in recent weeks, including an Instagram Live video showing him with a gun.
