The Luka Doncic Era in Dallas begins Saturday night. Kind of.

Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle confirmed Friday that No. 3 overall draft pick Doncic will start and play a yet-to-be-determined number of minutes when the Mavericks host the Beijing Ducks at 7:30 p.m.

It's a preseason game, which means it's not officially Doncic's debut. And the Ducks hail from the Chinese Basketball Association, which means it's really not even an NBA preseason game.

But it will be Doncic, wearing his Mavericks No. 77 on the court at American Airlines Center, playing basketball in front of what no doubt will be a curiously excited crowd.

Dorian Finney-Smith on @luka7doncic debut: “I’m just as excited as y’all.” pic.twitter.com/t3y8V65RaM — Brad Townsend (@townbrad) September 28, 2018

"I just want to see him play, too," said Mavericks forward Dorian Finney-Smith, who will start Saturday in place of injured Harrison Barnes. "I'm just as excited as y'all."

Carlisle on Friday was, let's just say, less verbally and visibly excited about Doncic's debut, or whatever reporters and fans want to call it.

That's not to say Carlisle isn't excited about 6-7 Doncic's NBA potential and possible impact on the Mavericks' franchise. But when a reporter asked what fans should expect to see of Doncic on Saturday, Carlisle shrugged.

"When they show up, they'll find out," he said.

Recall that three weeks ago, after watching Doncic in a handful of pre-training camp pickup games, Carlisle gushed: "Off of what I've seen over the last two days, anybody who doesn't jump on season tickets now is going to sorely regret it later. That's all I'll say."

Now, however, the 11th-year Mavericks coach seems to have wearied of the buildup, or at least of trying to come up with different ways of answering the same query.

Hey, some things in life, and basketball, are much better seen than described.

"I understand why you're asking it, but I've answered this question to many of you [reporters] many times," Carlisle said. "I just don't see the point of answering it again. He'll be out there soon. There's some social media footage of him shooting and doing drills and stuff like that.

"Tomorrow will be here before we know it."

Understand, there is a good chance Doncic's game will show rust against the Ducks. After playing in two leagues for Real Madrid for the better part of two years straight, he was under strict orders from the Mavericks to get ample rest during the summer.

While numerous Mavericks spent much of the summer training and playing pickup games in the team's practice facility, Doncic didn't arrive in Dallas until Sept. 4.

Realistically, if Doncic shows glimpses -- a no-look pass or two; a 3-pointer; flashes of his natural ability to mesh with and maximize teammates' skills -- fans should leave American Airlines Center thrilled.

And if by chance none of these things happen Saturday, fans should be mindful that Doncic's teammates have seen enough to be convinced that this 19-year-old will dazzle on plenty of nights this season.

"He's got some game," Finney-Smith said. "Mavs fans are going to appreciate his passing. He can do it all. Big guard; can play point guard, obviously. Got eyes in the back of his head.

"It's going to be a learning experience. Guys are obviously faster in the NBA. It's the best talent in the world. He's been a pro since he's 16, so I know the pressure is not going to be anything to him."

In that sense, Doncic should feel little if any pressure to impress anyone Saturday in what amounts to more of a preview than a debut. Kind of.

Sitting out: Carlisle said Friday that in addition to Barnes (right hamstring strain), Dirk Nowitzki (foot), J.J. Barea (left hamstring) and Ding Yanyuhang (knee soreness) not playing Saturday, forward Dwight Powell (knee soreness) probably also will not play. Powell was held out of practice Friday.

No China? As of Friday, no decision had been made whether Barnes will accompany the team on Monday for its eight-day, two-game trip to China, although Carlisle said:

"I think it's more likely he'll stay here. I don't know what good two 15-hour flights do for a hamstring injury. I don't see the merits of it."

As for the effect Barnes' missing at least three of the Mavericks' four preseason games will have on continuity-building, Carlisle said: "What, are you going to bring Oral Roberts in to touch him to heal him all of a sudden and he'll be available? There's nothing you can do. We've got to roll with this."