The Dallas Mavericks received a grim injury update regarding their star player, Luka Doncic. The news came after he sustained a calf strain during the team’s Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Doncic left the court on crutches, which almost hindered the franchise’s high hopes for the current NBA season.
The five-time All-Star’s injury adds to a list of challenges the Mavericks have faced this season. While Doncic is not the only option for the team, the Mavericks’ scoring mainly revolves around him.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania reports, Doncic is expected to be sidelined for an extended period. Per his report, Luka has an MRI scheduled for Thursday while he undergoes further assessments.
“The Dallas Mavericks are bracing for star Luka Doncic to miss an extended period of time after sustaining a calf strain, sources tell me and @espn_macmahon. Doncic left the arena on crutches today in Dallas. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday,” Charania’s tweet read.
The Dallas Mavericks are bracing for star Luka Doncic to miss an extended period of time after sustaining a calf strain, sources tell me and @espn_macmahon. Doncic left the arena on crutches today in Dallas. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/QKRIHfya10
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 26, 2024
The unexpected news is particularly concerning for the Mavericks, who want to build upon their success from last season. They were keen to imitate last season’s deep playoff run. Unfortunately, due to a knee contusion, the Mavericks secured a win against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Doncic’s previous absence. Still, despite a late-game push, the team came up short against the Timberwolves.
Head coach Jason Kidd expressed his hopes that Doncic’s injury will not be serious, as it might take a toll on the camp. The franchise star is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists this season, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt on the court. If things go worse, Dallas’ playoff chase might become short-lived.
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Luka Doncic’s Calf Injury Could Side Him For More Than A Month
As the updates started coming in from the whole incident, it did not sound as good for the Mavs. Injury analyst Jeff Stotts recently provided insights on Doncic’s potential recovery timeline. According to Stotts, the Grade 2 strain could keep the star guard sidelined for approximately 34 days.
Luka Doncic went back to the locker room after an apparent injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/R8xlcLdeHQ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 25, 2024
This prognosis aligns with the typical recovery period for such injuries, and he has to be cautious throughout the rehabilitation to ensure Doncic returns to peak performance. Throughout the game, Doncic visibly struggled with the injury he sustained while trying to maneuver past a defender, which limited his contributions on the court.
However, Doncic’s absence is a significant blow to the Mavericks, who rely heavily on his playmaking and scoring abilities. In the game before his exit, Doncic scored 14 points in just 16 minutes of play. With the team currently sitting at a 19-11 record after losing to the Timberwolves, the Mavericks will need to rally around star player Kyrie Irving.
