The Dallas Mavericks will face the Miami Heat on Wednesday night, with Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic in the lineup. After clinching a top-six playoff spot, there is talk that the Mavericks will find rest opportunities for important players with two games remaining.

 

The Mavericks began Wednesday with an injury report that listed Josh Green (right ankle sprain) as questionable to play. He was improved to be available before the game.

 

Mavs coach Jason Kidd said Green’s workload in his return to the lineup will be “15 minutes or so.” The team is eager to get him back on track before the playoffs, and he has two regular-season games remaining after Wednesday’s game.

“We’ll play him around [15 minutes] and see how he feels in those first five [minutes],” Green said. “But that’s the goal, to get him back into the fold. Hopefully, the experience is good, so he can continue to play the last two [games].”

Maxi Kleber went from having back spasms to being available. Dereck Lively II, on the other hand, is still injured and will miss the Mavericks’ final two regular-season games.

“Most likely will be without D Live for the last two [games],” Kidd said.

With the Mavs set to face the Detroit Pistons on Friday followed by a showdown with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday afternoon to conclude the regular season, it remains to be seen how much the team will play Doncic or Irving — if at all.

“We’re both coming off a back-to-back. Both teams are fighting for positioning in the playoffs,” Kidd said. “We got a great test tonight against the Heat. We can think about that tomorrow on the flight home.

Doncic had a busy summer participating in the FIBA World Cup, but he says he’s acclimated to the grind and feels comfortable. Regardless, if the Mavs are seeded fifth and unable to move, the Slovenian superstar will have plenty opportunity to recuperate.

“I’m now used to playing all summer,” Doncic said. “A lot of games, so a lot of games under my legs. That’s about it. I feel good.

Irving has played in 30 consecutive games and is eligible for a $1 million incentive if the Mavericks win against the Heat. To be eligible for this incentive, he must play in 58 games, while Dallas must win 50. Currently, the team’s record is 49-30, with Irving playing in 57 games.