Sources: Mavericks’ Kyrie Irving (back) out at least 1-2 weeks

Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving has a bulging disc in his back and is expected to miss at least a week or two, sources told ESPN.

There is optimism that treatment in the coming days will provide a target date for returning to play, sources said.

The Mavs announced Sunday that Irving would miss Monday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies with a lumbar sprain in his back. He did not join the team on the trip and remained in Dallas to be reevaluated, sources said.

Irving did not play in Friday’s home loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, when he was ruled out hours before tip-off with an illness.

Dallas is already down one superstar, as guard Luka Doncic has been out since suffering a left calf strain during a Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Doncic, who was seen using a scooter to get around the arena on Friday night, is expected to be re-evaluated in the last week of January.

The Mavs, who also dealt with suspensions for forwards Naji Marshall and PJ Washington stemming from a Dec. 27 altercation with Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkic, have lost five straight games, including Monday night’s loss. against the Grizzlies. Dallas (20-16), the defending Western Conference champion, is 0-4 and is without Doncic and Irving this season.

Irving, 32, has performed at an All-Star level in his 14th NBA season, averaging 24.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game while shooting 49.0% from the floor. and 44.1% from 3-point range, the best of his career.