Irving is listed on the injury report as he continues to deal with a lumbar back sprain. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain), Luka Doncic (left calf strain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) are all out for Friday's game. It is worth noting that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd previously said he expects Irving to play on Friday.

Kyrie Irving has been ruled out for Friday's content as a late scratch with an illness. This would've been a big game for Irving going against his former team, but instead, he'll be sidelined. READ MORE: Previewing Cavaliers' Lineup for Mavericks January Matchup The Cavaliers drafted Irving,

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined since Jan. 1 with a back injury, returned to action in Tuesday’s home game against the Denver Nuggets. Irving finished with 11 points (on 4-for-18 shooting), four rebounds, two assists and four steals in Dallas’ 118-99 loss.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving is expected to miss at least three games with a lumbar sprain in his back and could be out as many as two weeks, ESPN reported Monday.

The trickle-down effect of Irving’s return changes the dynamic for Dallas’ backcourt play. Dinwiddie joined Irving in the backcourt and Naji Marshall returned to the bench. Jaden Hardy, who was in the midst of an offensive surge, was the first guard off the bench in Irving’s absence.

Mavs star Kyrie Irving confirmed after Tuesday night's loss that he was diagnosed with a bulging disk in his lower back and would have to continue managing the injury.

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving returned to the court on Tuesday after missing five games due to a bulging disc in his back.