The Dallas Mavericks will be without rookie big man Morez Johnson for Sunday’s preseason matchup against the Houston Rockets, while Kyrie Irving is expected to make his long-awaited return to the court, according to CBS Sports and NBA.com. The game is part of the NBA China Games 2026 and marks Irving’s first appearance since tearing his left ACL on March 3, 2025.
Johnson will sit out for rest, CBS Sports reported, after starting at center in Friday’s preseason game against the same Rockets squad. He has also been managing a minor lower-leg injury throughout training camp, which has factored into his workload as Dallas monitors his health early in the preseason schedule.
What The Team And Sources Said
Johnson’s absence Sunday is listed as a rest day rather than a specific injury designation, per CBS Sports. He had started at center just two days earlier, finishing with 4 points on 1-of-3 shooting from the field, including a 3-pointer, 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 12 minutes against Houston.
Irving’s status carries more weight for the Dallas Mavericks franchise. He last played in an NBA game on March 3, 2025, when he tore his ACL against the Sacramento Kings, according to NBA.com. His expected return Sunday would give Dallas its first look at Irving alongside Cooper Flagg against outside competition, a pairing NBA.com noted has not yet happened in a game setting.
Rotation Impact Without Johnson
With Johnson held out, Dallas will lean on its other frontcourt options for Sunday’s matchup. The Mavericks played Friday’s preseason game without Irving, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II and Caleb Martin.
Houston controlled Friday’s contest behind a complete team effort. Alperen Şengün recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, while Tari Eason led all scorers with 20 points to go with his playmaking contributions in the paint and perimeter attack that helped the Rockets pull away.
Season Context For Irving And Johnson
Irving’s expected debut represents the headline storyline of the preseason slate for Dallas. His recovery timeline stretched beyond 18 months following knee surgery, and Sunday would be his first opportunity to play alongside Flagg in a game that counts toward preseason evaluation, even against an opponent that already beat the Mavericks by 18 points on Friday.
Johnson, a rookie, started at center in Friday’s preseason debut, finishing with 4 points on 1-of-3 shooting, 2 rebounds, an assist and a steal in 12 minutes. He has been managing a minor lower-leg injury during training camp.
What’s Next
The Mavericks return to Dallas after Sunday’s game, then face the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday and the Atlanta Hawks on Friday at American Airlines Center.
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