The Dallas Mavericks fell to the Minnesota Timberwolves (99-105) in a game in which they trailed by 28 points and came close to winning after pulling within two points with just over a minute remaining. But for them, more painful than the loss was losing their star player, Luka Doncic, to injury, who was already struggling going into the game
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The Mavs star had to retire to the locker room with 2:31 left in the second quarter after hurting his left leg in a poor support after a feint and did not return. According to initial reports, he suffered a muscle strain in his left calf and although he will undergo an MRI on Thursday, according to sources consulted by ESPN, the former Real Madrid player “could be out for a prolonged period of time”.
No matter how long the layoff is, we’re going to have to adapt. It’s the nature of the business. Hopefully, he’ll take his time and come back when he’s ready
Until he retired injured, he had produced as usual in the 16 minutes he was on the court: 14 points (2/4 t2, 3/5 t3 and 3/5 tl), 5 rebounds and 2 assists. His team was devastated by the mishap: “It’s painful for all of us,” said Mavs co-star Kyrie Irving, who scored 39 points in his absence. “I pray for Luka to have a speedy recovery. However long the term is, we’re going to have to adjust. It’s the nature of the business. Hopefully, he’ll take his time and come back when he’s ready.”
Doncic left the field late in the second quarter after grimacing as he leaned on his left foot after lifting the ball. He immediately looked towards the Mavs bench to indicate that he was injured and could not go down to defend. The Mavs then called a timeout with 2:31 minutes left in the first half to allow Doncic to leave the game and limp to the locker room.
He left the stadium on crutches
Doncic used crutches as he left the American Airlines Arena after the game, sources told ESPN’s Shams Charania. The Slovenian prodigy has already missed eight games this season with various injuries, including a right knee contusion, a right wrist sprain and a left heel contusion. He had returned on Monday in the win over the Blazers after a two-game absence due to the heel injury.
We hope this is his last injury, and that it is not too serious
The Mavs (19-11) have been successful without Doncic this season, going 6-2 in games in which their star was unable to play, including a loss in which Irving was also sidelined through injury. Their coach, Jason Kidd, is now keeping his fingers crossed that his franchise player will recover soon: “We hope this is his last injury, and that it’s not too serious”.
Injury history in that calf
Doncic has a history of injuries to that calf. Most recently, he missed all of this year’s 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 was sidelined for most of the 2023 preseason after being injured during a training session on the Mavs’ visit to Madrid.
