The Mavericks are currently 20-15 as they have dropped to the seventh seed in the Western Conference. It will be on Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson to keep the team afloat until Doncic's return and give them a shot at making a deep playoff run this season.

The Dallas Mavericks prepare to face the Los Angeles Lakers on January 7, 2025, but will be without key players due to injuries. Luka Doncic is out with a left calf strain, and Kyrie Irving is sidelined with a bulging disc.

Dec 25, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images