Mavericks' Irving Returns to Action

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has been cleared to return for Tuesday night's home game against the Denver Nuggets. Irving, who is averaging 24.3 points and 4.9 assists per game this season, was sidelined the last week due to a lower back injury. The Mavs went 2-3 during the five games that Irving missed. Irving was listed as out due to illness for the Mavs' Jan. 3 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The team announced before the next game that he had a lumbar sprain in his lower back. Sources told ESPN's Shams Charania that Irving has been dealing with a bulging disc in his lower back. Mavs co-star Luka Doncic has been sidelined since straining his left calf during a Christmas loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is scheduled to be reevaluated the last week of January.