Kings-Mavericks gameday: Dallas hopes to salvage play-in spot. Will Luka and Kyrie play?
The Dallas Mavericks will be in desperation mode when they play host to the Kings on Wednesday at American Airlines Center.
A year after making a run to the Western Conference finals, the Mavericks now find themselves on the verge of playoff elimination. They might need to win their last three games to have a chance to passing the Oklahoma City Thunder for the final play-in bid
There has been some speculation the Mavericks could shutdown star players Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but Doncic shot down those rumors on Tuesday in Dallas.
“I’m playing tomorrow,” Doncic told reporters. “When there’s still a chance, I’m going to play, so that’s not gonna happen yet.”
The Mavericks are listing Doncic (thigh) and Irving (foot) as probable against Sacramento.
The Kings (48-31) will be on the second night of a back-to-back after beating the New Orleans Pelicans 121-103 on Tuesday to clinch the Pacific Division championship and no less than the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.
The Mavericks (37-42) are 11th in the West, a half-game behind the Thunder for the final play-in spot. They gained a half-game Tuesday when Oklahoma City lost to the Golden State Warriors.
Status update
The Mavericks have announced that Doncic and Irving will both be available for Wednesday’s game against the Kings.
Kings at Mavericks
When: 5:30 p.m.
Where: American Airlines Center
TV: NBC Sports California
Radio: Sactown Sports 1140
Odds: Mavericks -5.5
Over/under: 245.5
Injury report
Kings: OUT — Not yet submitted.
Mavericks: PROBABLE — Luka Doncic (thigh); Kyrie Irving (foot).
Upcoming schedule
April 5 at Dallas Mavericks
April 7 vs. Golden State Warriors
April 9 vs. Denver Nuggets
This story was originally published April 5, 2023 at 4:00 AM.
