Dallas Mavericks: Who steps up with Trey Burke out vs. Denver Nuggets?

Dallas Mavericks: Who steps up with Trey Burke out vs. Denver Nuggets?

Dallas Mavericks guard Trey Burke did not travel with the team to Denver for Thursday’s game against the Nuggets. He is listed as out with an illness on the NBA’s official injury report. The Mavs will miss him against the Nuggets, but who steps up with the six-foot guard out?

Burke has come off the bench in all seven games so far. He averages 7.1 points and 1.4 steals per game. The 28-year-old gives Dallas some scoring punch off the bench and another steady floor spacer to count on.

Let us dive into who takes over his minutes against Denver on Jan. 7.

Who steps up for the Dallas Mavericks with Trey Burke out against the Nuggets?

Expect Mavs coach Rick Carlisle to stick with the starting five from their win over the Rockets. That puts Dorian Finney-Smith at the three and allows the Mavericks to go bigger throughout the game. Expect Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jalen Brunson to take over the lion’s share of Burke’s minutes. The two bench guards could both use the additional playing time.

Carlisle may also give Wesley Iwundu a look in Denver. The 25-year-old has played a total of 20 minutes in the team’s first seven games, but he gives the Mavericks another long athletic wing defender to use.

Hardaway Jr. thrived coming off the bench for the first time this season against the Rockets. He dropped 30 points and was part of the Mavs closing lineup. Dallas needs that scoring punch even more with Burke out.

All Dallas Mavericks fans can watch the game on Jan. 7. It is a nationally televised broadcast on TNT. Fans will not want to miss it as two Western Conference powers collide in Denver. Stay tuned for plenty more after the game.