Mavs star Kyrie Irving confirmed after Tuesday night's loss that he was diagnosed with a bulging disk in his lower back and would have to continue managing the injury.

Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving, who has been sidelined since Jan. 1 with a back injury, has been cleared to return for Tuesday’s game against the Denver Nuggets ( 9:30 ET, TNT ). Kyrie Irving (lumbar back sprain) will be AVAILABLE tonight against the Denver Nuggets.

With their head amply above water at six games over .500, it’s not as if the reigning Western Conference champion Mavericks were in dire need of a lifeguard. But with six defeats in their last eight games,