Tyson Chandler Parsons traveling with Mavs, not certain to play Thursday

Like Joey in season 6 of Friends, the Dallas Mavericks are learning what life is like without Chandler.

That goes for Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler, as both players have been sidelined for several games. The Mavericks will have both on the road with them as they embark on a three-game trip, but that doesn't mean either is a certainty to play Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Head coach Rick Carlisle said Tuesday that the status of each remains up in the air for that showdown of Western Conference contenders. With games again on Friday (Golden State Warriors) and Sunday (Los Angeles Lakers), their presence on the trip would seem to indicate they're close to returning.

Parsons has missed the team's last five games due to a bone bruise in his left ankle. Prior to the injury, Parsons was averaging 15.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists. He' really begun to find his stride in the offense in January after a slow start to the year, though he cooled some in February.

Chandler, meanwhile, has missed three consecutive games with a hip flexor injury and soreness in his ankle and foot. One of the league's best defensive big men, Chandler was averaging 10.6 points and 11.7 points while shooting 67.7 percent from the floor and ranking second in the league with a 70.7 true shooting percentage, a mark he's led the league in three times.

Richard Jefferson and Bernard James, signed for the remainder of the season on Tuesday, have been starting in their places. The Mavs have gone 3-2 in this current stretch without Parsons but have dropped two of three without Chandler.