Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic’s calf injury will likely keep him sidelined for at least a month.
The Mavericks announced that the left calf strain Doncic suffered in the team’s 105-99 Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves will be ‘reevaluated within one month.’ ‘Wishing @luka7doncic a speedy recovery. We know you will come back stronger than ever,’ the Mavericks added in a health update shared on social media on Saturday.
The incident happened on Wednesday with the Mavericks trailing 48-38 with 2:55 remaining in the first half. Doncic appeared to suffer a non-contact leg injury. He limped to the sideline as play continued and headed back to the locker room. The Mavericks ruled him out for the remainder of the contest with a left calf strain.
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‘An injury is an injury. He’s had a couple of them this year and we’ve played without him,’ head coach Jason Kidd said on Friday. ‘Next man up mentality. That’s what we’re facing right now… The depth of our team is being tested and those guys in the locker room are up for the test.’
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Doncic missed a game on Nov. 17 with a right knee contusion. He later missed five consecutive games in late November after exiting the Mavericks’ 132-91 win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 21 with a right wrist sprain. Doncic was sidelined on Dec. 19 and Dec. 21 with a left heel contusion before straining his left calf on Christmas Day.
Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 35.7 minutes in 22 games this season.
The Mavericks will also be without forward Naji Marshall for several games after he received a four-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl with Phoenix Suns center Jusuf Nurkić on Friday. P.J. Washington served a one game suspension in the Mavericks’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
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This story was updated with new information.
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