The Dallas Mavericks are going to have to find a way to survive without Luka Doncic into 2025.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Friday that Doncic will be re-evaluated in a month’s time after a left calf strain forced him out of Wednesday’s Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Doncic exited late in the second quarter, but the Mavericks didn’t have an immediate update on the 25-year-old’s status after what ended as a 105-99 loss to the Timberwolves.
The five-time All-Star was running a play on offence when he stopped, passed and reached toward his lower legs. Doncic stayed where he was until the Mavs could call timeout. He limped off with 2:31 remaining in the first half.
It was the second game back for Doncic after he missed two games with a left heel contusion. The 25-year-old has a history of issues with his left calf, missing all or most of the past two pre-seasons while previously sitting the first three games of the 2022 playoffs.
“It’s kind of deflating,” said Klay Thompson after the loss. “We have such a deep roster, and that’s why we can withstand this time without him. We obviously are not the same without Luka in the lineup. We are going to do everything we can to go on a run here without him.”
Doncic, who scored 14 points in 16 minutes against the Wolves and is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game, missed five games this season with a right wrist sprain. He has missed eight overall, but Dallas is 6-2 without him.
Irving is averaging 24 points without Doncic. Both missed a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last week.
Spencer Dinwiddie, who returned to the Mavs this off-season and has been an important option with Doncic sidelined, missed all seven of his shots against the Wolves and finished with two points.
— With files from The Associated Press
