Kyrie Irving Downgraded To Doubtful As Dallas Mavericks Update Injury Report Before Sacramento Kings Game
DALLAS — Kyrie Irving is doubtful for the Dallas Mavericks’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Monday night because of left knee injury management. Dallas had listed him as questionable on Sunday’s report, two days after he played 34 minutes and 53 seconds and scored 35 points in a 116-111 win over the Houston Rockets.
Santi Aldama moved from out to doubtful as he works back from right knee surgery. Naji Marshall is no longer on the report, and Caleb Martin is available while playing with a splint on his right thumb. Tip-off at American Airlines Center is set for 7 p.m. CT.
Kyrie Irving Doubtful With Left Knee Injury Management
Irving carried the same designation before Wednesday’s 120-96 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder, when he was listed as questionable and then played. Friday was his fifth game since he tore the ACL in his left knee on March 3, 2025. He averaged 27.0 minutes across his first four games back before playing nearly 35 against Houston.
After Friday’s win, Irving talked about the minutes restriction he had played under in the season opener.
“I feel great, I feel great. It’s great to build up to this moment. I think thinking about how we were talking about the minutes restriction, the first game versus Houston, and how it’s kind of controlling my internal frustration,” Irving said. “But I trust our coaching staff, I trust our medical staff in being able to develop a great dialogue and getting to this point, and just take patience, and I’m gonna enjoy it, but also give myself a lot of grace as I’m continuing to get better throughout the season.”
Irving scored 26 of his 35 points against Houston after halftime, and Cooper Flagg added 33. Dallas has won three straight and is 4-2.
Santi Aldama Moves Up, Naji Marshall Off The Report
Aldama has not played since Feb. 4. He had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on March 17 while with the Memphis Grizzlies and has yet to make his debut for Dallas, which acquired him in a July 8 trade. Mavericks coach Dusty May gave an update on Aldama before Friday’s game, when the forward was ruled out.
“Santi’s very close. He’s practiced with the Legends a couple times,” May said. “He played in our stay-ready game. We called it the Hunt Club, the Hunt Club, today. He looks to be very close.”
Marshall was available Friday but did not play after an illness kept him out of the previous two games. May said after the win that Dallas wanted him ready for Monday.
“He hasn’t practiced, and we were worried, illness. I think he probably looks like he’s dropped weight. He hasn’t practiced yet,” May said. “And just we thought if we could get through this one without [Naji], and he’s got two days to get his body back right, get his conditioning, and then be ready to play well Monday. We needed him tonight. It was a tough decision not to throw him out there, but we just thought for our team and for him, just give it until Monday.”
Tarik Biberović is out with right heel bursitis, and he has not appeared in a regular-season NBA game. Sergio De Larrea is out with a right knee sprain. May said Friday that De Larrea would be reevaluated this week. Dereck Lively II remains out after right foot surgery and has not played since Nov. 21, 2025.
Sacramento is 0-6. The Kings list Zach LaVine (right elbow inflammation) and Dylan Cardwell (calf) as day-to-day. Keegan Murray (ankle) and Maxime Raynaud (knee) are out, and Ben Simmons is out for the season with an Achilles injury.
After Monday, the Mavericks host the Utah Jazz on Friday in their second NBA Cup group-play game.
