Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, who missed nine games with a face contusion, returned during Saturday night’s 125-103 loss to the Houston Rockets at the Moda Center. Grant started and played just under 25 minutes, finishing with seven points on 2-of-7 shooting with four rebounds and three turnovers.

One of them includes star point guard Kyrie Irving. Irving has been ruled out as he deals with a lumbar back sprai

In what has to be considered good news, though, Daniel Gafford is listed as questionable with a left sprained ankle. He went down on Monday against the Grizzlies and was out against the Lakers on Tuesday. Jason Kidd expected Gafford to be out for a while, but he's already been upgraded.

Dallas guard Kyrie Irving is expected to miss one to two weeks with a bulging disk in his back, and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said a timeline for his return was not immediately known.

Dallas and Portland will square off in a matchup of Western Conference foes. The teams square off Thursday for the first time this season.

The Blazers blew an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter to lose at the Mavericks, who were without Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

The Trail Blazers sport the fifth-worst defensive rating in the NBA, and the matchup will be particularly favorable for Grimes. Portland has allowed opposing SGs to average 35.8 PRAs this season.

Kyrie Irving is ruled out for the Dallas Mavericks' game against the Denver Nuggets, as Jason Kidd shares an update on his injury status.

Portland Trail Blazers (13-23, 13th in the Western Conference ... out (wrist), Luka Doncic: out (calf), Kyrie Irving: out (illness). Trail Blazers: Matisse Thybulle: day to day (ankle), Donovan ...

Jerami Grant is AVAILABLE to play.

Kyrie Irving on the trade that sent him from Brooklyn to Dallas: “Best trade in the business baby. We won that trade! We won that trade! I was bad goods.”

During Week 13, the Blazers will play four games, beginning with the Heat on Tuesday. With Mark Williams firmly entrenched as Charlotte’s starting center, Richards needed a move to have a chance of establishing his fantasy ceiling.