The undermanned Dallas Mavericks lost to the Portland Trailblazers 126-122 in Portland on Saturday night. Today’s loss came on the second night in a row that also included a win in Phoenix. The undermanned Mavericks were without the services of Luka Doncic (calf strain) and Dereck Lively (left hip bruise), who sustained injuries during the Christmas game against the Timberwolves. Joining the two on the injury report were Naji Marshall (four-game suspension) and PJ Washington (one-game suspension) following Friday night’s altercation, as well as Dante Exum, who is recovering from wrist surgery. Chauncey Billups, Delano Blanton, Toumani Camara and Robert Williams all pitched for Portland.

The Mavericks were led by Kyrie Irving with a season-high 46. The Blazers were led by Shaedon Sharpe with 23 and Anfernee Simons with 22.

The Mavericks got off to a slow start, finishing the first quarter with 25 points compared to 36 points for the Blazers. The Mavericks were unable to contain DeAndre Ayton during the period, allowing 10 points and seven rebounds to go along with two blocks. Irving and Klay Thompson were the only two who managed to score a combined 16 points in the first quarter for the Mavericks.

Dallas couldn’t close the gap in the second quarter and ended up trailing 69-59. Irving went on the heater and was the main source of the Mavericks offense in the quarter, scoring 15 points. The Mavericks continued to let the super-athletic Shaedon Sharpe run wild in the first half, allowing him 16 points.

Dallas couldn’t overcome a ten-point deficit in the third quarter and their uninspiring offense left them having to overcome a 15-point deficit in the final period. Irving took the lead again in the fourth quarter, Kyrie-style, with 20 points. The 15-point lead disappeared midway through the quarter as Dallas trailed by five points. Despite Irving’s 20-point quarter, the Mavericks couldn’t get enough stops to complete the comeback.

Here are some key takeaways from today’s game.

Kyrie Irving continues to lead the Mavericks in Doncic’s absence

Watching Kyrie Irving play basketball gives you the same feeling you once had on Christmas morning after you finally got the gift you begged your parents for. Irving again led the Mavericks with 46 goals, including 24 in the first half. Irving has been outstanding in Doncic’s absence and tonight was another example of him deserving of an All-Star selection this season.

Even though the scoring gap wasn’t fully closed by halftime, Irving’s aforementioned heater made the game feel manageable early in the second half. With Luka out, the Mavericks will have to rely heavily on Irving, but he can’t do it alone like he did tonight.

Spencer Dinwiddie showed up late to the party

Spencer Dinwiddie didn’t manage to get going until the end of the fourth quarter tonight, finishing with 17 on 38% shooting in 35 minutes. Unfortunately, while his late attempts (eight points in a row to end the game) made the game feel attainable, his efforts didn’t come early in the game to prevent him from being put in that exact situation. The Mavericks can’t afford a game like this from him while he’s a starter and Doncic is injured, especially against a lottery team. I expect we’ll see a comeback game from him soon, but I suspect tonight’s game would have been very different if his shots had been falling.

It will be a tough road ahead

The road for the Mavericks won’t be easy. With Doncic’s injury sidelining him for at least a month and the uncertainty surrounding Lively’s recent injury, Dallas’ strength will be tested. Things won’t look as difficult when Marshall and Washington come back from their suspensions, but how they handle the upcoming team (Rockets, Cavaliers, Grizzlies, Lakers, Nuggets) will be a testament to the strength and identity of this team be.

The Mavericks will be back in action on Monday when they travel to Sacramento to take on the Kings, who recently fired coach Mike Brown, at 9 p.m. CST.