Kyrie Irving is ruled out of Dallas Mavericks’ must-win game against the Bulls

All-Star guard Kyrie Irving will not play in the Dallas Mavericks’ must-win game against the Chicago Bulls tonight – with five players in total ruled out of the matchup.

A loss would eliminate the Mavericks (38-42) from the play-in tournament.

Joining Irving (right foot) as unavailable on Friday are Tim Hardaway Jr. (left ankle), Josh Green (rest), Maxi Kleber (right hamstring) and Christian Wood (rest). Star guard Luka Doncic (left thigh) is listed as probable.

To qualify for the play-in, Dallas will need to beat the Bulls as well as the San Antonio Spurs at home on Sunday, combined with an Oklahoma City Thunder loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.

The Mavericks stand to gain by losing, however. The Mavericks are tied with the Bulls for the 10th-best odds in the upcoming NBA draft lottery, and they owe the New York Knicks a first-round draft pick to complete the 2019 Kristaps Porzingis deal. The pick is top-10 protected, however.

Luka Doncic is listed as probable after left thigh issue and will need to perform vs. the Bulls

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, however, said his team is not tanking to preserve the pick, per ESPN.

‘The guys don’t wanna do that,’ Cuban said. ‘Players aren’t gonna do that. Players don’t do that.’

Chicago (38-42) clinched a place in the play-in round last week, but consecutive losses, Tuesday to Atlanta and Wednesday at Milwaukee, leaves the Bulls locked into the No. 10 seed.

‘I always believe if you have a chance, you have a way,’ the Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan said. 

‘We have a chance, so we have to make a way. Things are going to be exciting. Can’t miss this opportunity, coming down to a one-game elimination.

‘I had a chance to play in one (for the San Antonio Spurs) when it first started. Everything about the game keeps you on edge. It’s an opportunity for us to make the playoffs, so that’s how we have to look at it.’

Chicago will face either Atlanta or Toronto on the road to open the play-in tournament.

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, however, said his team is not tanking to preserve the pick