DALLAS (AP) — Kyrie Irving will return to the Dallas Mavericks’ lineup on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing one game with a sore shoulder, but Luka Doncic will miss his second consecutive game because of a left heel contusion.
Dallas is 5-2 without Doncic, who is fifth in the NBA with 28.9 points per game. He had triple-doubles in three of his last four games, including his most recent appearance on Sunday – 45 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists in a 143-133 win at Golden State.
Irving is averaging 23.9 points per game, which is 18th in the NBA.
The Mavericks played without both guards for the first time this season on Thursday night against the Clippers at home and lost 118-95. It was Dallas’ largest loss of the season and fewest points scored.
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Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic, who did not play, watches play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the second half of an NBA basketball game in Dallas, Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
PHOENIX (AP) — The Arizona Diamondbacks acquired All-Star first baseman Josh Naylor on Saturday in a trade that sent right-handed pitcher Slade Cecconi to the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians also received a competitive balance Round B draft pick in 2025. Cleveland moved quickly to fill the hole left by Naylor, agreeing with veteran free agent Carlos Santana on a one-year contract, according to a person familiar with the negotiations.
The 27-year-old Naylor made his first All-Star team this season and hit a career-high 31 homers with 108 RBIs. He's been Cleveland's starting first baseman in each of the past three seasons and will become a free agent after the 2025 season.
The Diamondbacks were in the market for a first baseman after Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros on Friday. Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said Naylor's presence in the middle of the batting order should fit well with Eugenio Suarez, Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
The 25-year-old Cecconi has spent parts of the past two seasons in the big leagues. He had a 2-7 record with a 6.66 ERA last season, pitching in 20 games, including 13 starts.
Santana spent 10 seasons with Cleveland early his career over two stretches, starting out as a catcher before moving to first. The switch-hitter’s deal is pending a physical, said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal wasn't finalized.
Santana was one of the club’s most popular players from 2010-17 before signing as a free agent with Philadelphia. However, his time with the Phillies didn’t go as expected and he re-signed with the Guardians in 2019 for two seasons.
Santana brings leadership and experience to a Cleveland team that won 92 games and ran away with its division last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. The Guardians beat Detroit in the AL Division Series before losing the ALCS to the New York Yankees in five games.
The 38-year-old played for the Minnesota Twins last season, batting .238 with 23 homers and 71 RBIs.
The Naylor trade is the second significant move this winter by the AL Central champions, who dealt Gold Glove second baseman Andrés Giménez to Toronto in a three-team swap. The Guardians also acquired right-hander Luis Ortiz from the Pirates.
Naylor was a solid run producer and protected All-Star José Ramírez in the lineup. But his fielding was often suspect, and the Guardians have some other options they’d like to try going forward at first, including Kyle Manzardo.
Naylor’s departure also means he’ll no longer be teammates with younger brother, Bo, Cleveland’s primary catcher.
AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.
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FILE - Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Slade Cecconi (43) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning during a baseball game, July 10, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
FILE - Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor watches his RBI single against the New York Yankees during the third inning in Game 4 of the baseball AL Championship Series, Oct. 18, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
