While the last few weeks haven't been what Thompson signed up for, he's still embracing the challenge.

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

The Dallas Mavericks will be without star guard Kyrie Irving for the next few weeks. Irving suffered a bulging disc in his back and will miss at least one to two weeks. However, there is optimism that he will be able to return after undergoing treatment. NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN reported the news.

Dallas guard Kyrie Irving has been ruled out of the Mavericks' game Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, who are similarly resting power forward Zion Williamson. Both players were in action a night earlier,