Andrew PetersDecember 25, 2024
Sam Hodde/Getty Images
Luka Dončić could be facing the prospect of some missed time.
Shams Charania of ESPN reported the Dallas Mavericks superstar could be out for an extended period due to a calf strain, leaving the arena on crutches after the Christmas Day matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves:
Shams Charania @ShamsCharania
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 <a href=”https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@espn_macmahon</a>. Doncic left the arena on crutches today in Dallas. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday. <a href=”https://t.co/QKRIHfya10″>pic.twitter.com/QKRIHfya10</a>
Dončić was ruled out of the game earlier due to the calf strain.
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Luka Doncic went back to the locker room after an apparent injury on this play. <a href=”https://t.co/R8xlcLdeHQ”>pic.twitter.com/R8xlcLdeHQ</a>
Head coach Jason Kidd didn’t have much of an update after the game when discussing Luka’s injury history.
“You never want anybody to get hurt or have injuries, but it’s part of the game,” Kidd told reporters. “Hopefully this will be his last one and hopefully it’s not too serious.
Before a November wrist injury, Dončić had missed just one game, sitting out of the Mavs’ Nov. 17 contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a right knee contusion. Even without its star, Dallas won that matchup against the Thunder 121-119.
The start of the season didn’t go the way the Mavericks hoped after reaching the NBA Finals a year ago. They were 5-7 through 12 games before a three-game win streak put them above .500 prior to Dončić’s November injury.
The team has gotten hot since, however, and is now 19-10 on the season.
Dončić, who had an MVP-caliber season last year, is averaging 28.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists. His numbers aren’t quite as impressive as last season when he put up 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds per game, but the star has been known to up his play later in the season.
Regardless, any time he misses significantly weakens the Mavericks. Kyrie Irving will now have to carry a larger offensive load for Dallas.
