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Mavericks vs Cavaliers action arrives with Cleveland facing a significant injury crisis and Dallas preparing for a highly anticipated return to Rocket Arena. The Cavaliers host the Mavericks on Saturday, Nov. 14, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern time.
The matchup features a memorable homecoming for Kyrie Irving, who returns to Cleveland nearly a decade after helping the Cavaliers win their historic 2016 NBA championship. The game also reunites Tyrese Proctor with former Duke teammate Cooper Flagg, adding another compelling storyline to an important early-season contest.
Critical Mavericks vs Cavaliers Injury Report
Cleveland’s lineup has been heavily affected by injuries following a difficult overnight turnaround from Miami. According to the injury information provided by the Akron Beacon Journal, the Cavaliers will be without several key contributors.
- Peyton Watson: Hamstring injury
- Donovan Mitchell: Left knee injury
- Jarrett Allen: Right knee injury
- James Harden: Calf injury
- Sam Merrill: Right elbow injury
- Evan Mobley: Left toe sprain
- Nae’Qwan Tomlin: Lower-back injury
- Ernest Udeh Jr. and Khalif Diop: Two-way players unavailable
The absences remove significant scoring, rebounding, playmaking and defensive depth from Cleveland’s rotation. Mitchell, Allen, Harden and Mobley are particularly important pieces, while Watson and Merrill also provide valuable minutes on both ends of the floor.
Dallas, meanwhile, entered the game with no injuries reported. That gives the Mavericks a notable availability advantage, although the team will be looking to recover from one of its worst performances of the season.
Explosive Storylines as Kyrie Irving Returns
Irving’s return is expected to draw major attention from Cleveland fans. He played a central role in the Cavaliers’ championship run in 2016 and remains one of the most recognizable players in franchise history. His presence gives the Mavericks an experienced offensive creator alongside Flagg.
Dallas entered the matchup with a 7-5 record, placing the team 10th in the Western Conference. The Mavericks are trying to build consistency around Flagg, the highly regarded young forward, and Irving, who is continuing his return after a lengthy absence caused by an ACL injury.
Flagg recorded 12 points, seven rebounds and three assists in Dallas’ previous game. Irving added 10 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Zaccharie Risacher led the Mavericks with 22 points. Dallas was defeated 133-94 by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Nov. 12.
Cavaliers Seek Urgent Response After Miami Loss
Cleveland also enters the contest after a disappointing result. The Cavaliers lost 133-121 to the Miami Heat on Nov. 13, creating a quick turnaround before facing Dallas at home.
Mitchell led Cleveland with 25 points in Miami, while Proctor provided an encouraging performance with 22 points. With Mitchell unavailable against Dallas, Proctor could be asked to assume an even larger role in the backcourt.
The Cavaliers will likely need improved ball movement, disciplined defense and efficient perimeter shooting to compensate for their depleted frontcourt and missing stars. The team’s ability to manage minutes and maintain energy could become decisive, particularly after playing on consecutive nights.
How to Watch the Mavericks vs Cavaliers
The game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. start at Rocket Arena in Cleveland. The local television broadcast will be available through DAZN, WOIO channel 19 and RESN, according to the pregame information published by the Akron Beacon Journal.
Fans can also listen to the local radio broadcast on WTAM 1100 AM, WMMS 100.7 FM or La Mega Cleveland 1300 AM for the Spanish-language broadcast.
What to Watch During the Game
- How Cleveland replaces Mitchell, Harden and Mobley in its starting rotation.
- Whether Proctor can build on his 22-point performance against Miami.
- How Irving handles his emotional return to Cleveland.
- Whether Flagg can respond after Dallas’ 39-point loss to Minnesota.
- Which team controls the rebounding battle without several Cavaliers frontcourt players.
The injury disparity makes this a challenging test for Cleveland, but home-court energy and a strong response could keep the Cavaliers competitive. For Dallas, the priority is to regain its offensive rhythm while taking advantage of Cleveland’s depleted lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is the Mavericks vs Cavaliers game?
The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland.
Is Kyrie Irving playing for Dallas?
Yes. Kyrie Irving is expected to play for the Mavericks in his return to Cleveland, where he helped the Cavaliers win the 2016 NBA championship.
Which Cavaliers players are out?
Donovan Mitchell, Jarrett Allen, James Harden, Evan Mobley, Peyton Watson, Sam Merrill and Nae’Qwan Tomlin are listed as unavailable, along with two-way players Ernest Udeh Jr. and Khalif Diop.
Are the Mavericks dealing with injuries?
No injuries were reported for Dallas in the provided pregame information.
