National Basketball Association

Mavs C Haywood out because of ankle injury

Published Mar. 7, 2012 3:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

Dallas Mavericks starting center Brendan Haywood didn't play Tuesday night against the New York Knicks because of a sprained left ankle, missing a chance to go against former teammate Tyson Chandler.

The Mavericks were also without post player Brandon Wright, who missed his third consecutive game after sustaining a concussion.

Coach Rick Carlisle said Haywood still has some swelling after rolling his ankle on the opening possession in a loss Monday night at Oklahoma City.

''This is not considered a massively serious ankle injury,'' Carlisle said, adding he hoped the center would be back soon.

Carlisle said Haywood would travel with the team for three games in three nights, beginning Thursday at Phoenix. Wright will not make that trip.

Haywood became the starter after Chandler left the Mavericks in free agency during the offseason.

In a short ceremony before the game, Chandler became the last player from the Mavericks' 2010-11 team to get his NBA championship ring.

''He was such a big part of last year. He was great in so many different ways ... anchor of our defense,'' Carlisle said. ''He's done great things with the Knicks, and they've become one of the better defensive teams now, this year and in a relatively short period of time.''

Chandler got a $56 million, four-year contract with the Knicks in a sign-and-trade that was part of a three-team deal at the start of training camp.

A video of Chandler's highlights from last season was shown before the 7-foot-1 center got a nice ovation from Mavericks fans. Carlisle and owner Mark Cuban presented him his ring.

''Nobody wanted him when we went out and got him, so it was nice to see that he revitalized his career and he's doing well with the Knicks,'' Cuban said before the game. ''We wouldn't be champions without him, and the show goes on.''