LOS ANGELES -- The Dallas Mavericks' starting backcourt sat out Thursday night's 104-88 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Point guard Deron Williams was out because of a left knee injury he suffered in the season-opening win over the Phoenix Suns. The team initially called the injury a contusion but said Thursday night it is a sprain.
The Mavs opted to rest shooting guard Wesley Matthews as a precaution. He is less than eight months removed from rupturing his left Achilles tendon and played 26 minutes Wednesday night.
Williams, who was walking with a slight limp, said he hopes to play Sunday against the Los Angeles Lakers.
"We don't think it's serious," coach Rick Carlisle said when asked whether it is a day-to-day injury. "The hope is that we can get him going here, but I don't have a timetable. It's one of those ones that could be pretty quick or it could be a little bit. We'll just have to see."
Williams dealt with several injuries the past few seasons with the Brooklyn Nets, most significantly surgery on both his ankles. He was limited to one preseason game and only a few practices before the season opener because of strains to both calves.
Small forward Chandler Parsons, who is recovering from hybrid microfracture surgery, could make his season debut as soon as Sunday against the Lakers.
