Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said his starting point guard Dennis Smith Jr. will miss multiple games after spraining his left ankle on Saturday against the Brooklyn Nets.

“He's going to be out for awhile, but not serious. I don't have a timetable, but he's going to miss, I would say, some games,” said Carlisle, according to Dwain Price of Mavs.com.

The Mavs already have Wesley Matthews out of the rotation due to a leg fracture and it wouldn't be surprising if they sit out their rookie star for the remainder of the season with only 12 games left in the season.

“I'm just a little tender right now,” said Smith. “I'm recovering pretty well. I'm feeling better, and we're doing a good job of just staying on top of everything and making sure we take care of it every day.”

Yet the 6-foot-3 dynamo remained optimistic on his impending return before the end of the season.

“I’m going to finish the season out,” said Smith. “Whenever they think that I’m ready to come back, I’ll be back. Like I said, just finish the year out strong. Like I said, we’re just going to rehab and make sure I’m ready whenever I do come back.”

Dallas has already been eliminated from playoff contention and has the sixth-worst record in the league, likely vying for a lottery pick at this point, which could make Saturday's game the last sight of Smith until the start of next season.