The latest misfortune in the Mavericks' injury-riddled season occurred Thursday night when the All-Star reserves were announced by TNT. Kyrie Irving, who had the best chance of qualifying for the Western Conference team, was not selected as part of the 14 reserves.

Irving is listed on the injury report as he continues to deal with a lumbar back sprain. Meanwhile, Dereck Lively II (right ankle sprain), Luka Doncic (left calf strain) and Dante Exum (right wrist surgery) are all out for Friday's game. It is worth noting that Mavs head coach Jason Kidd previously said he expects Irving to play on Friday.

Even without important pieces like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein and Dereck Lively II, both teams' role players simmered the beef between the ball clubs. The usually well-mannered Thunder were hit with multiple technical fouls. PJ Washington continued to poke the bear.

Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving’s chances for an extra trip to San Francisco this season for All-Star festivities just got slightly thinner. The superstar duo will not represent the Dallas Mavericks as starters on the Western Conference All-Star team,

After the game, Irving was asked about Zion Williamson. Irving (h/t Joey Mistretta of ClutchPoints): "He's been through a lot in his personal life and just with injuries. He came