There’s optimism that Mavericks star Luka Doncic will be able to return from his calf strain in one of the next two games in Utah, sources tell Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link).
The Jazz will host Game 3 on Thursday and Game 4 on Saturday before the series shifts back to Dallas for Game 5 next Monday.
According to Charania, Doncic – who strained his left calf on April 10 – has improved in recent days. His workouts over the next couple days could determine whether he attempts to return in Game 3 or Game 4, Charania adds.
The Jazz defeated the Doncic-less Mavericks in Game 1 of the series on Saturday, but Dallas bounced back on Monday to even the series. That Game 2 victory was a crucial one, allowing the Mavs to split their first two home games without Doncic before going on the road.
If Doncic is unavailable for Game 3 on Thursday, the Mavs will have to once again lean heavily on point guards Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie, who combined for 58 points, 11 assists, and 12 rebounds in Monday’s win.
To me, now that they squeaked out the win last night, there’s no way I let Luka come back before Game 4.
See if Utah chokes away another game in 3 – and if they do hold him out until at least 5. Seems unlikely Luka will be 100% in this amount of time so every day counts.
True … The more Luka can rest the better it is