Dallas guard Kyrie Irving has been ruled out of the Mavericks' game Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, who are similarly resting power forward Zion Williamson. Both players were in action a night earlier,

With Luka Doncic missing his 10th straight game with a left calf strain and projected to remain out through at least late January, Irving is Dallas’ best chance of remaining afloat in Western Conference amid a roaring rapids stretch of games.

Mavericks star Kyrie Irving is listed as doubtful for Wednesday night's road game against the Pelicans, although his intention had been to play both games of a back-to-back after returning from a five-game absence due to a bulging disc in his lower back.