DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic continues to battle multiple injury concerns. Yet, he continues to play and is giving everything he has on the floor. Doncic admitted that “everything” was hurting after the Mavericks’ 105-101 Game 3 victory.
“I’m battling out there, man. I think I’m battling,” Doncic said after Game 3. “I’m glad we got the win. I’m just trying to battle out there.
“The last play… I hurt my knee again. Just trying to battle out there, man. We got a win, that’s all that matters.”
Doncic suffered a right knee sprain during the Mavericks’ first-round series victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. He is also dealing with left ankle soreness. Through it all, though, Doncic has continued to “battle” and the Mavs star has not missed a playoff game up to this point.
His production, at least from a scoring standpoint, has dwindled at times in the 2024 NBA playoffs. One has to imagine that is a result of his injury concerns. After all, Doncic led the league in scoring during the regular season.
Fortunately for the Mavs, PJ Washington has emerged as a reliable scoring option. He scored 29 points in Game 2 and 27 in Game 3 against the Thunder. Kyrie Irving has been willing to distribute and make plays for his teammates, and Washington has benefitted as a result.
Doncic has also played a big role in the Mavs’ success despite his injuries. So is Luka Doncic playing in Game 4 vs. the Thunder?
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Luka Doncic’s injury status vs. Thunder
Doncic is currently listed as questionable due to his aforementioned knee and ankle injuries, per the NBA injury report. Maxi Kleber (shoulder) and Olivier-Maxence Prosper (ankle) have been ruled out.
Doncic has been listed on the injury report a number of times so far in the postseason. He has not missed any games, so there is optimism that he will play on Monday night. His comments after Game 3 are concerning, though.
Luka is dealing with a lot of pain. The hope is that resting on Sunday will help him feel better for Game 4 on Monday night.
One thing we have seen from Luka all season long is an impressive element of toughness. He wants to be on the floor as often as possible. Doncic is willing to play through pain in order to help the team win.
Doncic’s teammates deserve a lot of credit as well. They have done everything they can to pick him up amid his injuries.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving led the Mavs throughout the 2023-24 campaign. Defenses are focusing on both players in the postseason even more intensely, so the performances of players like PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Tim Hardaway Jr. have been crucial to say the least.
The Mavericks currently lead the series 2-1 over the Thunder. Dallas can take a commanding 3-1 series lead with a Game 4 victory over Oklahoma City.
When it comes to the question of if Luka Doncic is playing in Game 4 vs. the Thunder, though, the answer is maybe.
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