Nuggets game day: Why Trey Lyles could return to Denver's rotation in Dallas

DALLAS — When Paul Millsap returned last week from a wrist injury that sidelined him for 44 games, Trey Lyles knew his minutes were going to get slashed. Lyles was playing the best basketball of his career in Millsap’s absence, averaging 13.0 points in 24.6 minutes per game. But the 22-year-old was wise enough to understand that as good as he played, minutes would be hard to come by when Denver welcomed back its four-time All-Star and highest-paid player.

“It’s definitely frustrating, but playing behind an All-Star power forward you’ve got to take what you can get,” Lyles said.

In Millsap’s first three games back, Lyles has played a combined 20 minutes. He checked in for five minutes against the Los Angeles Clippers last week, 15 against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday and received a DNP-Coach’s Decision in Cleveland on Saturday. It was Lyles’ first DNP-CD since Nov. 9.

“Matchups,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters at practice Monday via Altitude’s Christopher Dempsey. “And I talked to him right after the game — there’s nothing to look into here, Trey. When Jeff Green was ruled out, that was kind of Trey’s matchup. And (Cleveland) played so much small ball. I just felt it was not a great matchup for Trey for us in that game. But he’ll be back playing tomorrow night. Trey is not only a big part of what we’re doing now, but more importantly, in our future, Trey is going to be a big part of what we’re doing.”

As Malone explained, the Cavaliers like to surround LeBron James with smaller, quicker players. When Cleveland forward Jeff Green was ruled out, Malone decided it’d be best for his team to play three traditional bigs — Nikola Jokic, Millsap and Mason Plumlee — instead of four.

Lyles should have the opportunity to play when Denver faces the Dallas Mavericks (6:30 p.m., Altitude) on Tuesday. The Mavericks have relied recently on a traditional starting frontcourt featuring Dirk Nowitzki and Dwight Powell. That means there will be minutes Lyles can soak up.

Dallas (19-45) has won just two of its last 11 games. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban admitted on a podcast last month that “losing is our best option.” He was later fined $600,000 for those comments.

Harrison Barnes, who’s averaging 18.5 points per game, is the Mavericks’ leading scorer. Dennis Smith Jr., the rookie who Dallas took ninth overall in last summer’s draft, is averaging 15.0 points per contest. Dirk Nowitzki is fourth on the team in scoring average with 12.5 points per game. He’s shooting 43.2 percent on threes in his 20th NBA season.

Nuggets Projected Starters

Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Wilson Chandler, Paul Millsap, Nikola Jokic

Mavericks Projected Starters

Dennis Smith Jr., Yogi Ferrell, Harrison Barnes, Dwight Powell, Dirk Nowitzki