MEMPHIS – Kyrie Irving missed his first game of the young season on Monday with a left foot sprain, coach Jason Kidd said before the Mavericks took on the Memphis Grizzlies.
Irving apparently suffered the injury in Friday’s 125-120 win over Brooklyn, but the severity wasn’t apparent until Monday. He was listed as questionable after the morning shootaround and ultimately ruled out.
“He just woke up with discomfort, so that’s what led to him being questionable,” Kidd said. “He did it in the game (Friday).”
Josh Green got the start for Irving and made the most of the opportunity in the 125-110 victory.
He finished with 12 points, but that doesn’t tell the story
He had the only bucket – a three-pointer off of a Luka assist – in Memphis’ 16-3 run that made it a 110-106 game. Then, he got in close and hit an 8-foot bank shot to trigger the Mavericks’ getaway.
“We’ve always believed 50-50 balls, he gets them,” Kidd said. “And I thought he made a big three in the slot when they were on their run. I think Luka kicked it to him. He was really good.”
Kidd said that the absence of Irving did not impact the strategy of how the Mavericks want to attack.
They will continue to push the pace.
“It’s not about Kai and Luka keeping the pace, it’s about the team,” Kidd said pregame. “With Kai out, we’re going to continue to keep playing quicker. When Luka’s out, we’re going to play quick.
“We got to play faster, that’s what we’ve talked about and conditioned ourselves for. That’s the way we have to play this year.”
Much respect for Luka: Does Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins have great respect for Luka Dončić?
You be the judge, based on what he had to say on how Dončić has been able to put together such a huge opening three-game stretch.
“He’s one of the best players in the game,” Jenkins said. “He’s got all the tools, elite playmaking abilities, elite handles, he’s got counters to everything you throw at him.
“They play a lot of pick and roll, almost 80 a game, and he’s got the three-ball. He’s got great size. You give him one little inch of a mistake, he’s going to take advantage.”
So yeah, count Jenkins among the big fans of Luka, except maybe when he’s coaching against him.
Briefly: The Grizzlies also were shorthanded with Santi Aldama (ankle), Steven Adams (knee) and Luke Kennard (concussion) unavailable . . . Backup guard Dante Exum took a nasty hit to the chops in the third quarter. The game had to be stopped to clean up the blood on the floor. But Mavericks officials said Exum was fine after the game. Just a gash on his lip . . . The Mavericks’ defense came to life after a 36-point first quarter for the Grizzlies. Memphis scored just 25, 25 and 24 points in the last three quarters. “When you can do that,” Kidd said, “it gives you a chance.” . . . The NBA this season is using electronic technology to determine goaltending calls on controversial plays. The play can be challenged, but Kidd said he’s not sure how that will impact his challenging strategy as the season goes on. “Technology is always right,” he said. “So you got to make sure if you’re challenging the goaltending that you’re right, because it’s not going to be wrong. It’s something we’ll have to go through now that we have two challenges. If you do get it wrong, that second one disappears. You might want to let it pass so you can get that first challenge right and get the second one.” . . . The Mavericks have scored 126, 125 and 125 points in their three wins. “Right now if we can get to 126 as fast as possible, that’s our number,” Kidd said.
X: @ESefko
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