Dallas Mavericks

Cousins returns for Pelicans; Mejri out for Mavs

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:24 p.m. ET

NEW ORLEANS (AP) Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says DeMarcus Cousins is back in the lineup for Wednesday night's matchup against Dallas after missing New Orleans' previous two games with a right ankle sprain.

Gentry says Cousins is not under any minute restrictions. The Western Conference All-Star has averaged 22.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in 13 games since being traded to New Orleans.

The Mavericks, meanwhile, are without one of their front-court reserves. Dallas coach Rick Carlisle says 7-foot-2 center Salah Mejri is being held out against New Orleans because of right knee soreness that has lingered since a collision during the Mavs' loss to Oklahoma City on Monday night.

Mejri is averaging 2.6 points, 4.3 rebounds and nearly a block per game this season.