The Dallas Mavericks played their first preseason game of the year Monday night in a 121-116 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. They kept that game close despite being without four starters, including stars Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving, who were rested for that game. It should be the only game they miss this preseason.

Irving (rest) is expected to be available for the remainder of the preseason, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports. Irving was held out of Monday's exhibition against the Grizzlies for rest purposes,