The Dallas Mavericks will need to navigate through Thursday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder without their two best players. Both Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis has been ruled out of Thursday's tilt which will leave the Mavs shorthanded against OKC.

This report comes via team insider Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News:

The good news for the Mavs here is that the injuries to both stars seem minor. This is the first we've heard of Doncic's ankle problem, and he looked fine in Dallas' 115-104 win against the San Antonio Spurs. The same can be said about Porzingis who appears to have fully recovered from the back issue that cost him to sit out two weeks in February.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd looks on during the second quarter against the Toronto Raptors at the American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Knicks expected to make Jason Kidd request after Tom Thibodeau firingJoey Mistretta ·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd greets guard Luka Doncic (77) as Doncic comes off the floor during the third quarter against the LA Clippers during game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at American Airlines Center.
Mavericks’ 10 best NBA Draft day moves in historySpencer See ·
Tyrese Haliburton, Kyrie Irving, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Exclusive: The surprise superstar AAU ballers picked as NBA’s Face of the LeagueChris Dodson ·
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd and New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the New York Knicks at the American Airlines Center.
NBA rumors: Why Tim MacMahon ‘won’t dismiss’ Jason Kidd leaving Mavericks for KnicksJason Patt ·
Charlotte Hornets guard Dennis Smith Jr. (8) looks to pass as he is defended by Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) during the first half at the Spectrum Center.
Dallas Mavericks’ 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in historySpencer See ·
Mavericks Jason Kidd on left. New York Knicks 2025 logo on right. Question marks all over image.
How Mavericks, Knicks could discuss Jason Kidd trade after Tom Thibodeau firingJoey Mistretta ·

This just sounds like the Mavs giving their stars an extra day of rest following Wedensday's contest. The fact that they are going against a 15-21 Pelicans side on the second night of a back-to-back set is likely to have factored into their decision to sit both Doncic and Prozingis.

The Mavs carried on with their winning ways against the Spurs following a three-game win streak prior to the break. They now look to make it five straight against Oklahoma City, but the fact that they will be extremely shorthanded poses a significant challenge for the squad.

Dallas returns to action on Saturday in a tough bout against the Denver Nuggets, and barring any unforeseen setbacks/underlying issues, both Doncic and Porzingis should be good to go for that marquee matchup.