Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic will likely be reevaluated in a single month after sustaining a left calf pressure in Wednesday’s Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Doncic, 25, underwent an MRI and acquired a number of opinions on the harm Thursday, in keeping with studies.
Luka Doncic will miss a minimum of 15 video games, making him ineligible for the 2024-25 NBA season awards and honors
Doncic exited late within the second quarter Wednesday after grimacing in ache when he planted on his left foot after selecting up his dribble. He instantly signaled to the Mavericks bench that he was injured and was unable to make it again to the defensive finish.
After the Timberwolves scored, the Mavs referred to as a timeout with 2:31 remaining within the first half to permit Doncic to go away the sport. He hobbled to the locker room for additional analysis and was dominated out minutes later. Doncic used crutches whereas leaving the sector postgame.
Since Doncic will likely be reevaluated in 30 days, this implies the five-time All-Star will miss a minimum of 15 video games and be eradicated from competition for the NBA’s season awards and honors, reminiscent of MVP and the All-NBA groups.
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will likely be re-evaluated in a single month after sustaining a left calf pressure on Christmas Day, sources inform ESPN. https://t.co/HVrzlaEzOR
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 27, 2024
The 6-foot-6 Doncic has an in depth historical past of accidents to that calf. He lately missed all of this season’s coaching camp and preseason due to a left calf contusion. Doncic’s newest harm marks the third time that he has strained the calf over the previous few years.
He missed the primary three video games of the 2022 playoffs after straining it through the regular-season finale and was sidelined for a lot of the 2023 preseason after straining it throughout a follow in Madrid.
Doncic has already missed eight video games this season due to a proper knee contusion, a proper wrist sprain, and a left heel contusion. He appeared in 70 contests final season, essentially the most since his rookie marketing campaign (72 video games).
Moreover, Doncic returned from a two-game absence because of the heel contusion for Monday’s house win over the Portland Path Blazers. Dallas is 6-2 in these video games Doncic has missed.
Doncic is eligible to signal a five-year, $367 million supermax extension in 2025, giving him $73.4 million per season
By way of 22 video games (all begins) this season, Luka Doncic has averaged 28.1 factors, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, a career-high 2.0 steals, and 35.7 minutes per contest whereas capturing 46.4% from the ground, 35.4% from past the arc, and 76.7% on the free throw line.
In the meantime, Kyrie Irving scored 39 factors within the Mavs’ loss to Minnesota, however he missed a 3-pointer that might have put the Mavs forward within the ultimate minute. He completed 14-of-27 (51.9%) capturing from the sector, 5-of-14 (35.7%) from 3-point vary, and made all six free throws.
“Praying for Luka simply to have a speedy restoration,” stated Irving after Wednesday’s loss, when the Mavs lower a 28-point deficit to 2 factors within the ultimate minute. “Nonetheless lengthy the timetable is, we’re going to have to regulate. It’s simply the character of the enterprise. Hopefully, he simply takes his time and comes again when he’s prepared.”
Doncic has been named to the All-NBA First Group in every of the previous 5 seasons. Since Doncic earned his fifth choice in 2023-24, he’s eligible to signal a five-year, $367 million supermax extension in 2025.
The seven-year veteran would earn $73.4 million per season on such a deal. He’s at the moment making $43.03 million this season. That is a part of the five-year, $215.16 million contract he signed with the Mavericks in 2021.
