The trickle-down effect of Irving’s return changes the dynamic for Dallas’ backcourt play. Dinwiddie joined Irving in the backcourt and Naji Marshall returned to the bench. Jaden Hardy, who was in the midst of an offensive surge, was the first guard off the bench in Irving’s absence.

Irving was absent for the most recent Mavericks game, also against the Nuggets, which the Denver side won 112-101. In that tie, he was hugely missed, with the output for his side clearly suffering from his absence: Dallas are 2-3 across their last five games in the NBA without Irving and 3-6 overall without him.

Kyrie Irving signs Cleveland Cavaliers' Caris LeVert, Los Angeles Clippers' Derrick Jones Jr., and Dallas Mavericks' Daniel Gafford to deals with ANTA.