Mavericks without Jameer Nelson, Raymond Felton on Wednesday

Raymond Felton is missing what may be his best opportunity to carve out a role in head coach Rick Carlisle's rotation.

The Dallas Mavericks will be without starting point guard Jameer Nelson on Wednesday night when they take on the New York Knicks. Nelson is dealing with a sore back that flared up following Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers.

Nelson's absence would have opened up playing time for Felton, who missed the team's first 10 games with an ankle sprain, the next four due to suspension, and Monday's game due to a Carlisle decision. Instead, though, Felton himself is sidelined due to a re-aggravation of his ankle suffered in practice on Tuesday.

So rather than Felton getting the chance to battle his former team and show Carlisle what he's got for the first time since joining the Mavericks, Dallas will instead run thin at the point.

Devin Harris and J.J. Barea will carry the load at the one, providing a nice offense-defense platoon as needed. Harris is averaging 8.2 points and four assists in 22.8 minutes this year to 8.1 points and 4.4 assists in 16.6 minutes for Barea, with Harris providing better defense.