Luka Dončić has been ruled out for Saturday’s game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers.

It is the second game in a row – both against the Clippers – that Dončić has been sidelined due to a bruised left heel. However, Kyrie Irving, who also missed Thursday’s Mavs-Clippers game with right shoulder soreness, will play in Saturday’s game.

Without both Doncic and Irving, the Mavs dropped a 118-95 decision to the Clippers two days ago. This shows how valuable these two players are to the Mavs, who are now 5-2 in games Dončić has not played this season.

“Obviously they’re two of the best players in the world,” guard Spencer Dinwiddie said. “And I think, especially organizationally, we know what we want to achieve in terms of packages with one or the other.

“So it’s different to play the whole game without them.”

Irving’s return should significantly help the Mavs tie this short two-game home stretch against the Clippers at 1-1. However, they still have to find a way to slow down Clippers center Ivica Zubac, who was 10 of 13 from the field and finished Thursday’s game with 21 points, 15 rebounds and five assists while defended primarily by Dereck Lively II and Daniel became Gafford.

“Zubac is a big body,” Dinwiddie said. “He’s a force and he showed that (Thursday). He played well.

“He did well on the boards and obviously scored in the paint. It’s up to us as a team to help D-Live and Gaff in this situation.”

Here is some more information about the game between the Mavs and the Clippers.

*This is the Mavs’ second four-game homestand, continuing with Monday’s game against Portland and Christmas Day game against Minnesota before Dallas begins a four-game road trip in Phoenix on Friday. This home game began with Thursday’s 118-95 loss to the Clippers.

*This is the second game of a three-game road trip for the Clippers. The road trip ends Monday in Memphis before the Clippers return home to host the Golden State Warriors on Friday.

*In Thursday’s loss against tFor the Clippers, Klay Thompson scored 22 points for the Mavs, Spencer Dinwiddie had 19 points, seven assists and three steals, PJ Washington collected 14 points, nine rebounds and two steals, Dereck Lively II finished the game with 13 points, seven boards and three blocks, and Quentin Grimes added 11 points and five rebounds.

*Norman Powell (29 points, six rebounds), James Harden (24 points, seven assists), Ivica Zubac (21 points, 15 boards), Amir Coffey (16 points) and Kevin Porter Jr. (12 points) led the Clippers in Thursday’s win over the Mavs.

*The Mavs have a home record of 8-4, while the Clippers have a road record of 6-6. The Mavs are seeded fourth in the Western Conference, one spot ahead of the Clippers, who are just a game and a half behind Dallas in the standings.

*Despite Thursday’s loss to the Clippers, the Mavs have won 12 of their last 15 games and are still one of the hottest teams in the NBA.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (16-12) and DALLAS MAVERICKS (17-10)

When: 7:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: KFAA-29, MavsTV stream

Radio: KEGL 97.1 FM The Eagle, 99.1 FM Zona MX (Spanish)

X: @DwainPrice