Luka Doncic will be out for at least a month after suffering a left calf strain in Wednesday’s Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, sources close to the player and the Dallas franchise told ESPN in an exclusive report by prestigious journalists Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon.
The All-NBA Mavericks guard underwent an MRI and received multiple opinions on the injury, but the conclusion reached by doctors, according to those same sources, is that he will be re-evaluated in a month, possibly in early February, so he will miss at least 15 games.
Doncic had to leave the game late in the second quarter after grimacing in pain as he landed on his left foot after lifting the ball. He immediately looked towards the Mavs’ bench to indicate that he was injured and was unable to get back on defense.
After the Timberwolves scored, the Mavs called a timeout with 2:31 left in the first half to allow Doncic to leave the game. He headed limping to the locker room for further evaluation and was ruled out minutes later, leaving the arena at the end of the game with the help of crutches.
15 games out and goodbye to MVP and All-NBA
If he is re-evaluated in 30 days, Doncic will miss at least 15 games and will be eliminated from contention for NBA awards, such as MVP and All-NBA teams. To be eligible for these awards, it is a requirement to have played at least 65 regular season games and this campaign he has already missed eight due to a right knee contusion, a right wrist sprain and a left heel contusion. Added to the at least 15 he will miss now, he will no longer reach 65 of 82.
Third calf injury
Doncic has a history of injuries to that calf. He recently missed all of training camp and preseason due to a left calf contusion. This is the third time Doncic has injured his calf in recent years. He missed the first three games of the 2022 playoffs after being injured during the regular season finale and missed most of the 2023 preseason after being injured in training during the Mavs’ visit to Real Madrid.
“I pray that Luka recovers quickly… However long the time frame is, we’re going to have to make adjustments. It’s the nature of the business.”
The former Real Madrid player, who has been selected to the All-NBA first team for the past five years, has averaged 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game in 2024-25. Even so, Dallas is 6-2 in games Doncic has missed. “I pray that Luka recovers soon”, Irving said after scoring 39 points in Wednesday’s loss in which Doncic was injured. “However long the term is, we’re going to have to make adjustments. It’s the nature of the business. Hopefully, he will take his time and come back when he is ready.”
