After a 5-game absence, Dallas' Kyrie Irving returned and scored 11 points against Denver, but later admitted he struggles with back injury.

Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving has been ruled out of Wednesday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, who are similarly resting power forward Zion Williamson.

But with six defeats in their last eight games, the Mavericks were losing buoyancy, so they were grateful for Tuesday night’s return of Kyrie Irving, even as they fell to Denver, 118-99, in American Airlines Center for the second time in three nights.