Charlotte heads into the matchup with Dallas after losing four games in a row. The teams play Thursday for the first time this season. Dallas is 18-11 at home, and Charlotte is 5-23 on the road.

Kyrie Irving's toughness is not in question, but when he will play again for the Mavericks is. In the first quarter Monday night, Irving drove the lane against Sacramento, was fouled by DeMar DeRozan,

Expert recap and game analysis of the Dallas Mavericks vs. Charlotte Hornets NBA game from February 27, 2025 on ESPN.

After the Dallas Mavericks faced off against star guard Luka Dončić for the first time since trading him to the Los Angeles Lakers in a 107-99 loss on Tuesday, the players are still getting used to seeing their former teammate on the opposing side.

Dallas Mavericks star guard Kyrie Irving weighed in on all the public criticism involving Dallas following their trade of Luka Doncic.

Their long list of injuries grew Monday when Kyrie Irving went down late in the first quarter and didn't return with a left knee sprain. Before Irving left for the locker room, though, he courageously went to the free-throw line and sank two foul shots.

Kyrie Irving's left knee bent back awkwardly as he tried to go up for a layup, and he had to be helped off the floor.