Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined since Jan. 1 with a back injury, returned to action in Tuesday’s home game against the Denver Nuggets. Irving finished with 11 points (on 4-for-18 shooting), four rebounds, two assists and four steals in Dallas’ 118-99 loss.

Following Tuesday's loss to the Denver Nuggets, Irving spoke in the Mavericks locker room about the injury and prognosis.

Luka Doncic suffered a left calf strain during the Dallas Mavericks’ 105-99 defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Doncic could miss an extended amount of time with the injury, and he has been ruled out for Friday’s game against the Phoenix Suns,

But with six defeats in their last eight games, the Mavericks were losing buoyancy, so they were grateful for Tuesday night’s return of Kyrie Irving, even as they fell to Denver, 118-99, in American Airlines Center for the second time in three nights.

Dereck Lively II exited Tuesday’s Denver Nuggets-Dallas Mavericks game with a right ankle sprain. The Mavs announced before the second quarter that Lively will not return to the game. Lively has played a pivotal role in the Mavs’ recent success,