07 April 2023 , 22:11
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Kyrie Irving will miss the Dallas Mavericks must-win game on Friday night and with their post-season hopes hanging by a thread they could also be missing Luka Doncic.
Irving has already been ruled out of the game, as have Tim Hardaway Jr, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber and Christian Wood as the Mavs chase a win to keep their chance of making the Play-In tournament alive.
The Mavericks are currently in 11th in the Western Conference after winning just three of their last 10 games - which has been the story of their season ever since making a huge move before the trade deadline.
Many thought that Dallas had vaulted themselves into championship contention when they traded for Irving and partnered him with Doncic. While the point guard has done well since arriving in Dallas, it has not been a move that has translated into wins on the court.
The Mavs have been in freefall ever since the signing, with the team losing key depth players in the trade to acquire Irving, sending players to the Brooklyn Nets in return.
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Dallas will need to win both of their final two games of the season to make it in to the Play-In, meaning a Friday night defeat will end their season.
While Irving has already been ruled out with a right foot injury, Doncic remains probable as he recovers from a left thigh injury. Doncic shut down reports that he would sit out to secure the team a draft lottery spot, when he said: "When there's still a chance, I'm going to play."
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are on the brink of missing the playoffsShould the Mavs indeed miss the Play-Offs, it will be unlikely that Irving returns to the team and might well have already played his last game for the team, with him set to become a free agent this summer.
Irving is being linked with a move to the Los Angeles Lakers - reuniting him with LeBron James, with Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green also said to be interested in joining the team.
The Bulls themselves will have extra motivation to win the game, as they too look to secure their Play-In spot in the Eastern Conference. Dallas will have a huge off-season ahead of them this summer, with the team needing to improve around Doncic,the final days of the regular season will go a long way in deciding whether certain players will re-sign, or opt to join as a free agent.