The Dallas Mavericks have confirmed that Kyrie Irving will not appear on their injury report for the upcoming game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday. This marks a significant step for Irving, who recently scored 21 points in 29 minutes during a game against the Brooklyn Nets, as he prepares to play both games in a back-to-back scenario for the first time this season.
Irving’s absence from the injury report was noted on the NBA’s 2 p.m. ET announcement on November 9. This is a notable change from the earlier part of the season when he was sidelined for the second game of previous back-to-backs, following his recovery from a torn left ACL. The upcoming matchup will take place at the American Airlines Center, meaning the Mavericks will not have to travel between games.
With Sunday’s 130-93 victory over the Nets, the Mavericks improved their season record to 6-4. The team gained a commanding 29-point lead heading into the final quarter.
In the previous match against Indiana on October 23, which was also the first game of the Mavericks’ only other back-to-back this season, Irving scored 24 points and made five three-pointers, contributing to a 121-105 victory in Indianapolis. He did not play in the subsequent game against the San Antonio Spurs, as it was decided that he needed to manage his left knee injury.
Before the game against Brooklyn, Mavericks coach Dusty May explained that the decision for Irving’s participation in back-to-back games would be made based on how he felt the next morning, in consultation with the medical staff, as reported by Grant Afseth of Dallas Sports Journal.
Irving has been working his way back into form after missing the entire 2025-26 season due to an ACL injury sustained in March 2025. He had played around 24 minutes in his season debut against Houston on October 21 and increased his playing time to nearly 36 minutes in a rematch with San Antonio on November 4, where he scored 29 points. Monday’s game will test his ability to perform again just 24 hours after competing.
In addition to Irving, the Mavericks have seen notable contributions from rookie Cooper Flagg, who combined with Irving for 46 points in their last game against Brooklyn. However, the Mavericks are managing several injuries on their roster, as rookie forward Morez Johnson Jr. is questionable with a left shin contusion. Dereck Lively II (right foot surgery), Tarik Biberović (right heel bursitis), and Sergio de Larrea (right knee sprain) will not play. Caleb Martin is listed as available with a right thumb splint.
On the Pacers’ side, Tyrese Haliburton (left hamstring strain), Johnny Furphy (right ACL surgery), and Ben Sheppard (left meniscus surgery) will be absent from the lineup. T.J. McConnell is questionable due to a right hamstring strain after his season debut on Saturday in Mexico City.
Monday’s game is set to tip off at 7 p.m. CT in Dallas. This meeting will be the final regular-season encounter between the two teams, featuring Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who previously led the Mavericks to an NBA championship in 2011.
