Matthews, Williams out for Mavericks against Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks' starting backcourt of Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews will be sidelined Thursday when the Mavs visit the Los Angeles Clippers.

Williams suffered a left knee contusion during Wednesday's season opener against the Phoenix Suns. He left the game, but later returned to action with his knee in a sleeve.

Matthews is being sat for precautionary reasons, a byproduct of the shooting guard's offseason surgery for a torn Achilles.

Due to their shared injury history, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle is starting both players on minutes restrictions this season, and has vowed to have an especially conservative approach with Matthews.