There’s “a lot of skepticism” that Mavericks star Luka Doncic will be available for Game 1 of their playoff series with the Jazz, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said tonight on “NBA Countdown” (video link).
Doncic suffered a strained left calf Sunday in Dallas’ final regular season game. The Mavericks aren’t required to submit an injury report until Friday, so there may be no official word until then, but Wojnarowski said the outlook seems pessimistic that Doncic will play in the Saturday afternoon game.
Sources tell Wojnarowski that Doncic’s injury is “more than just a mild calf strain.” He’s expected to do everything be can to be ready, but Woj cautions that it’s the type of injury that can be aggravated if it’s not fully healed.
He adds that Dallas is facing the possibility that Doncic may miss Monday night’s Game 2 as well.
“If this was the regular season, you wouldn’t even be talking about him possibly playing this weekend,” Wojnarowski said, while adding that he expects a final decision on Doncic’s availability for Game 1 to go “down to the wire” Friday or Saturday.
The Mavericks and Jazz will have two days off after Game 2, so Doncic will have a cushion to recover before the series shifts to Utah. Any games that Doncic misses could have a profound impact on the series, as he put up All-Star numbers again this season, averaging 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists in 65 games.
I feel like I hate guys sitting out random games as much as anyone … but this is probably a valid counterfactual.
None of the teams that forfeited their final games of the season are dealing with calf strains to their franchise guys going into their 1st round matchup.
This is getting ridiculous. This guy is NEVER healthy when the most important part of the season rolls around. Luka absolutely HAS to make some changes to his lifestyle, starting now.
What lifestyle change do you suggest to avoid a calf strain?
@theone23
It’s a calf injury after playing 65 regular season games dude.
That really sucks for DAL, but specially for Luka, guy always is an absolute monster in the playoffs… & this year he had a winnable path to the WCF, with UTA & PHO, real winnable teams, yikes!
A “monster” who can’t get out of the first round lol.
“Can’t get out of the first round” while putting up historic postseason numbers that NOBODY in league history has done before. While playing on far inferior teams talent wise and being guarded they entirety of both series by 2 of the best defenders in the league while facing constant double and triple teams. How many years did Jordan play until he got out of the first round? Please get a clue.
@sn33
nobody has ever done before? ummm….no.
@knickscavsfan how many players in NBA history had 275 points 75 rebounds and 75 assists in their first 9 playoff games? The answer is 1 and his name is Luka. So your “ummmmm no” looks pretty uninformed.
Lol Jordan? I don’t even like Jordan.
Doncic is a stat padder. His stats don’t amount to wins in the playoffs.
And it still doesn’t change the fact that he’s yet to get out of the first round. Got owned twice by the Clippers. Blew a 3-1 lead lol.
Clips don’t even own their arena!
Your comments show your total ignorance about hoops, dude!
You’re the biggest troll on this forum.
What do you know? Lol.
Well he probably knows the Mavs never blew a 3-1 lead to the Clippers in the playoffs. So maybe instead of making stuff up why don’t you get some facts and then come talk. Also the reason I said Jordan is because he is considered by many to be the best to ever play. He struggled getting out of the first round early in his career too. So it’s an apt comparison whether you like Jordan or not. Not sure why you would think your opinion of a player would make any difference but just to be clear it does not in the least bit.
Keep crying.
The fact is Doncic hasn’t won anything. All he does is stat pad. And Mavericks are looking like they’ll again exit in the first round.
He’s on his way to become of the next Tracy McGrady. A “star” player who never got out of the first round. Perennial loser.