Skip to main content
luka kp tyler

BREAKING: Doncic & Porzingis Both OUT - Mavs at Pels GAMEDAY

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t have long to think about their blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, as they hopped on a plane soon after to make their way to New Orleans for a second night of a back-to-back matchup with the Pelicans.

The Dallas Mavericks didn’t have long to think about their blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday night, as they hopped on a plane soon after to make their way to New Orleans for a second night of a back-to-back matchup with the Pelicans.

The Mavs won't get superstar Luka Doncic (back) back for this one. Doncic missed last night’s game due to back stiffness. The team will also be without Kristaps Porzingis (knee), as he played a team-high 38 minutes last night. KP gets the load management treatment, and Luka was apparently sent back to the hotel from the arena to rest his back,

Newcomer J.J. Redick (heel) won't be able to go yet. But Nicolo Melli, who came over in the deadline trade from New Orleans, is available.

The last time the Mavs and Pelicans met, Dallas won a high-scoring affair, 143-130, as the two stars on both teams dueled. Doncic had a career-high 46 points in that game, and Porzingis added in 36 points as well. Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram combined for 66 points for New Orleans.

The Pelicans might also be without one of their key players in Lonzo Ball. Stay tuned to DallasBasketball.com throughout as we update with each injury report that is released. ... and for the game report and more, of course.

ODDS: The Mavs entered the day as 1.5-point favorites over the Pelicans, and the total over/under is 228 points.

RECORDS: DALLAS MAVERICKS (23-20) VS. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS (19-25)

WHEN: Saturday, March 28, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. CT

LOCATION: Smoothie King Center (New Orleans)

TV/RADIO: Fox Sports Southwest, NBA Leaguepass, ESPN 103.3 FM, Univision 1270 AM

FINAL WORD: ”He’s an MVP candidate, so you’re going to miss a guy like that in a lot of ways. ... Hopefully Luka (Doncic) will be able to play tomorrow night — we’ll see. If not, it’s going to be next man up again.”