There’s optimism in Dallas that star Mavericks guard Luka Doncic will be able to return to action prior to next month’s All-Star Game, reports NBA insider Marc Stein (Twitter link).
Doncic sustained a left calf strain on Christmas Day vs. Minnesota, with subsequent reports indicating that he was expected to miss at least a month. The Mavs confirmed that they intended to reevaluate the five-time All-Star in approximately one month, so a formal update from the team could be around the corner.
Beginning with Saturday’s NBA Finals rematch vs. the defending champion Celtics, the Mavericks have 11 more games before All-Star weekend (Feb. 14-16). Doncic has already missed the club’s past 15 games as a result of his calf strain. Dallas is 5-10 during that stretch, with a handful of key players battling injuries.
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While the Mavericks will obviously be inclined to play it safe with Doncic, who has dealt with multiple calf injuries over the course of his career, it would provide a huge lift if they can get him back on the court in the coming weeks.
The Mavs’ recent slump has dropped them into play-in territory in the Western Conference — the club currently holds the No. 7 seed, with a 24-21 record, and is just a single game ahead of the No. 10 Suns.
Prior to his injury, Doncic was averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and a career-high 2.0 steals in 35.7 minutes per game across 22 outings, with a shooting line of .464/.354/.767. As a result of this lengthy absence, he won’t be eligible for any end-of-season awards, since he’ll fall short of the 65-game requirement. He had made the All-NBA First Team five consecutive times entering 2024/25.
Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal previously reported that Doncic was on track to get healthy prior to the All-Star break.
Gotta farm those coach votes