NBA All-Star starter Luka Doncic played just three minutes in the Dallas Mavericks’ 99-95 win over the Phoenix Suns two nights ago. He will be in street clothes for tonight’s matchup against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.
“Luka Legend” has largely been healthy this season, missing just five of the Mavericks’ 50 games. He will miss his sixth when they take on the Jazz.
Prior to the unfortunate injury, Doncic has been playing lights out this season. He is averaging a career-high 33.0 points, second-best in the NBA, to go with 8.9 rebounds, 8.4 assists and 1.5 steals. Doncic has been the only player with at least a 30-point, eight-rebound and eight-assist average this season.
Despite his incredible performances, Dallas is just 3-7 in their past 10 games, which dropped them to sixth in the Western Conference.
Josh Green is expected to see more minutes as Doncic watches from the sidelines tonight.
What is Luka Doncic’s status for tonight’s game against the Utah Jazz?
Luka Doncic has been officially ruled out by the Dallas Mavericks due to a left ankle sprain. He suffered the injury barely three minutes into the game versus the Phoenix Suns. It was the first time in the Slovenian’s career that he failed to score in an NBA game.
Mavericks fans were initially worried that the now four-time NBA All-Star had suffered more than a sprained ankle. His status moving forward will be day-to-day, which means that the injury is not as serious as many thought.
Dallas is in a hotly-contested battle for a place in the playoffs. Losing Doncic for an extended time would have been a serious blow to their postseason aspirations.
Spencer Dinwiddie, after the win over the Suns, couldn’t hide his disappointment regarding Doncic’s injury and expressed the team’s hopes of getting him back soon.
When will Luka Doncic return?
The Dallas Mavericks have not set a specific timetable for Luka Doncic’s return to action. At the very least, he will miss a few more games as the team wants him to be fully healthy. They can’t afford to let him play through injury as it could compromise them down the road.
Doncic’s day-to-day status gives hope that he will be back quicker than originally expected. He limped badly when he went to the locker room during the Suns game. “Luka Legend” could be available next week.
Dallas will surely struggle as they wait for their leader to suit up again. They will have to replace his production by committee. Spencer Dinwiddie carried the team versus the Suns on the road, which is a good sign that someone will step up.
Jason Kidd will need everyone from his team to do a little more as “Luka Magic” recovers from a sprained ankle.