The Dallas Mavericks will be without superstar Luka Dončić for at least the next month after the five-time All-Star suffered a left calf strain on Christmas Day, multiple media outlets reported Friday.
Dončić will reportedly be re-evaluated in one month after the Mavericks heard multiple opinions on his MRI results.
In the second quarter of the Mavericks’ loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday, Dončić planted his left foot and picked up his dribble, then immediately looked toward his bench. He remained in place until trainers met him on the court during a timeout before limping into the locker room for evaluation.
Dončić started the first 13 games of the season but has missed nine of Dallas’ last 17 games due to various injuries to his heel, groin and wrist.
The Mavs’ timeline for Dončić would have him missing at least 15 games, which would eliminate him from consideration for league awards and would end his streak of five consecutive seasons as a first-team All-NBA selection.
Luka Doncic went back to the locker room after an apparent injury on this play. pic.twitter.com/R8xlcLdeHQ
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 25, 2024
Dončić’s absence will be a massive blow to a Mavericks team trying to build on last season’s NBA Finals appearance. Dallas (19-11) is currently in fourth place in the Western Conference but is only two games ahead of seventh place and a play-in spot.
After winning the scoring title last season, Dončić saw his numbers dip to start the 2024-25 campaign. He is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists this season.
The loss of Dončić will force Kyrie Irving to become the primary orchestrator of the Mavs’ offence and will likely create more playing time for Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes.
“Praying for Luka just to have a speedy recovery,” Irving told reporters Wednesday, before the extent of the injury was known. “However long the timetable is, we're going to have to adjust. It's just the nature of the business. Hopefully, he just takes his time and comes back when he's ready.”
Dallas is 6-2 without Dončić in the lineup this season, including wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers.
