The Dallas Mavericks are set to face the Utah Jazz in a challenging matchup, as the Jazz look to improve their performance with a new starting lineup. The Mavericks represent a tough opponent in the Western Conference, adding pressure on the Jazz to capitalize on their changes and secure a much-needed victory.

Kyrie Irving sat out the game against the Utah Jazz due to a strained right shoulder. He is averaging 25.2 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.6 rebounds this season, shooting 54.5% from the field and 54.1% from beyond the arc.

Quentin Grimes took Kyrie Irving's place in the starting lineup, stepping up in his absence. He is averaging 5.1 points and 2.8 rebounds this season.

Luka Doncic is set to play against the Jazz after previously being uncertain due to a right knee contusion. He is continuing his strong performance from last season, averaging 28.1 points and 8.1 assists per game. DraftKings lists him as a 6.5-1 favorite for the MVP award, trailing only Jason Tatum, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Nikola Jokic. His presence makes the Jazz an 8.0 point underdog in the matchup.

Kyrie Irving's relationship with Nike ended in 2022 after the brand's founder, Phil Knight, criticized him for making statements that the company could not support. Brown reacted to this by questioning Nike's ethics on social media. Following the Celtics' victory in the 2024 NBA Finals, Brown released a song titled "Just Do It," which appeared to take a jab at Nike, referencing their slogan and suggesting that partnerships can be easily replaced.