Luka Doncic Ruled Out of Preseason Finale Due to Calf Strain
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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic grabs his right foot after an awkward fall during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, in Dallas. Doncic left the game shortly afterward with a right heel contusion. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Mavericks’ star player, Luka Doncic, has been sidelined with a mild left calf strain, according to coach Jason Kidd. Doncic’s injury occurred during the team’s trip to Spain, specifically during a practice session in Madrid on October 9th. Although the injury is described as not serious, it has forced Doncic to sit out the team’s preseason finale.
Coach Kidd stated that Doncic would be reevaluated later, with hopes that he will be ready for the Mavs’ season opener on October 25th against the San Antonio Spurs. It is unclear how long Doncic will be out with the calf strain, but the team is optimistic about his return.
Despite missing the preseason finale, Doncic was seen participating in limited activities during Monday’s practice, involving riding the exercise bike and spot shooting. This indicates that he is making progress in his recovery.
Doncic’s injury comes as a disappointment for the team, considering the sentimental importance of facing his former club, Real Madrid. Despite the desire to play against his former team, Doncic was limited to just five minutes in the game.
Following their time in Spain, the Mavs played two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi. Doncic underwent an MRI upon the team’s return to Dallas to assess the extent of his injury. Fortunately, the results revealed that the injury was not severe.
This is not the first time Doncic has dealt with a left calf strain. In the previous season, he suffered a similar injury, which sidelined him for 12 days and caused him to miss the first three games of the Mavs’ first-round series against the Utah Jazz.
In addition to Doncic’s injury, fellow All-Star guard Kyrie Irving also faced health concerns during the team’s recent trip. Irving missed the last two games due to left groin soreness. However, he participated fully in Monday’s practice, and coach Kidd expressed optimism about his availability going forward. The team will assess Irving’s condition before making any decisions about his participation in upcoming games.
As the regular season approaches, the Mavericks will closely monitor Doncic’s progress and work towards his full recovery. Fans and the organization are eagerly awaiting his return to the court, hoping he can lead the team to success in the upcoming season.
