Rebilas-Imagn Images It was reported by Grant Afseth ... Via Stein: “There is growing optimism in Dallas that Kyrie Irving (back) will return to the Mavericks' lineup tonight against Denver.

(AP Photo/LM Otero)(LM Otero / AP) Kyrie Irving may have returned to the court Friday to help the Dallas Mavericks defeat top-seeded Oklahoma City, but his ongoing back injury will require rest in ...

That decision forced the Thunder to stick close to the Mavericks' role players throughout the first quarter. Once Washington scored the first five points, Irving asserted himself and drained a ...