The Mavericks will need PJ Washington to play well alongside Klay Thompson amid Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving's injury absences.

The Dallas Mavericks are going to be seriously shorthanded for the next little while. Kyrie Irving is expected to miss a week or two due to a bulging disc in his back, ESPN's Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon reported Monday,

In recent weeks, the Dallas Mavericks have relied on Kyrie Irving to lead the team. The All-Star guard has stepped into a bigger role due to Luka Doncic's injury-induced absence. Irving's scoring and playmaking ability likely eased some of the blow of Doncic's forced absence.