NBA Notes: Mavericks, Kyrie Irving, Knicks, Jordan Clarkson, Pacers

Mavericks

Kyrie Irving could return before the year flips, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd suggested, via Christian Clark of The Athletic.

Irving tore his left ACL in early March and had surgery later that month, so a late December return would put him right around the nine month mark.

Kidd said the Mavericks miss his presence and that the hope is for Irving to get on the floor again sometime in 2025.

Irving has been in the gym and doing light on-court work for about a month. The Mavericks had been avoiding anything resembling a timetable until now.

Knicks

Jordan Clarkson is still fighting for minutes behind Landry Shamet, as relayed by Bridget Reilly of the New York Post.

Coach Mike Brown values Shamet and pushed to keep him after a non-guaranteed camp deal, which has left Clarkson playing only 14.8 minutes and averaging just 6.8 points on 29 percent shooting. Those would be career lows.

Clarkson said he is working through a new system and a new role.

Anyway, the Knicks are 2-3. If they lose to the Bulls on Sunday, it will be four straight losses, matching their worst stretch from last season, notes Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

 “This is a great test for us,” Brown said. “It’s early, but it’s a great test for us and I’m looking to see what type of resiliency we have as a group.”

Pacers

As we relayed earlier, the Pacers are signing forward Jeremiah Robinson-Earl to a 10-day contract under the hardship exception.

Indiana qualifies because it’s down seven rotation players, including Tyrese Haliburton, T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin and Obi Toppin.

Per Dustin Dopirak of the Indianapolis Star, coach Rick Carlisle believes Robinson-Earl gives them needed forward depth.

 “We needed someone with some size and versatility,” Carlisle said. “Was kind of surprised he was available. He’s a guy who’s easy to like. He played 4 and 5 and he’s played some 3 in the NBA with Oklahoma City. I know he was in camp with Dallas and the Dallas people liked him a lot. Good opportunity for him, good opportunity for us.”

Robinson-Earl averaged 6.3 points and 4.8 rebounds for the Pelicans last season. He was in camp with the Mavericks and Kidd said he should be on an NBA roster.

Indiana is giving him that shot, at least for now.