According to Tim MacMahon of ESPN, Dallas Mavericks forward Kristaps Porzingis has been upgraded to “questionable” ahead of his expected season debut for the Mavs on Monday.

Coming on a day in which the Mavs shut down its facilities due to an positive COVID-19 test, the return of Luka Doncic's running mate is a sliver of good news amidst a season that is suddenly in jeopardy.

Initially injured during the Mavs' first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last season in September, Kristaps Porzingis has spent the intervening months rehabbing. Diagnosed with a tear to his lateral meniscus, the big man had initially sought to avoid surgery, hoping that it would lessen the time he needed to recuperate. Unfortunately for both him and Dallas, the platelet-rich injections that were administered failed to heal the injury on their own and prompted surgery in early October.

While Porzingis is a critical component in the Mavs' hunt for a second championship banner, the team has been able to tread water in his absence. Paced by Doncic–who has quickly emerged as a favorite for league MVP–Dallas has sprinted out to a 5-4 record on the season and currently holds the fifth seed in the Western Conference.

Though their early-season success is undoubtedly positive news, the team is attempting to contain a possible COVID-19 outbreak. Following the announcement that Maxi Kleber had tested positive for the virus, the Mavs announced that they are conducting contract tracing to control the spread, in addition to shutting their facilities.

If they are allowed to play their game on Monday evening, at least the Mavericks will know they will have their all-star forward back in the lineup.