Mavs center Dereck Lively II suffered a sprained right ankle in Tuesday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets and exited the floor with the training staff. Shortly after, the Mavericks announced that Lively would remain out for the rest of the game.

DALLAS — Dereck Lively II exited Tuesday's Denver Nuggets- Dallas Mavericks game with a right ankle sprain. The Mavs announced before the second quarter that Lively will not return to the game. Lively has played a pivotal role in the Mavs' recent success, and he will unquestionably be missed for the remainder of the game.

The Mavericks ruled starting center Dereck Lively II out with an ankle sprain just four minutes into their Tuesday game against Denver, the team announced.

With Luka Doncic missing his 10th straight game with a left calf strain and projected to remain out through at least late January, Irving is Dallas’ best chance of remaining afloat in Western Conference amid a roaring rapids stretch of games.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined since Jan. 1 with a back injury, has been cleared to return for Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets ( 9:30 ET, TNT ). Kyrie Irving (lumbar back sprain) will be AVAILABLE tonight against the Denver Nuggets.

Kyrie Irving may have struggled in his return to the Mavericks lineup, but Jason Kidd is simply happy that he's back on the court.