The Dallas Mavericks improved to 9-4 on the season via Monday's 111-101 win over the Denver Nuggets but encountered a potential disaster when superstar Luka Doncic appeared to turn his ankle late in that game:
Luka heads off early from the #MFFL win with a turn of his ankle #NBA pic.twitter.com/ZCukjQNVZ4
— Every Day Fan Sports NBA (@edfsnba) November 16, 2021
Dallas confirmed Tuesday that Doncic is dealing with sprains to his left knee and left ankle and won't play in Wednesday's contest at the 10-3 Phoenix Suns. However, ESPN's Tim MacMahon reports those setbacks are "not too serious" and shouldn't keep the two-time first-team All-NBA selection out for too long.
Doncic's status beyond Wednesday, such as for Friday's game at the Suns, is up in the air. NBA insider Shams Charania adds the Mavericks will evaluate Doncic "daily."
Per ESPN stats, Doncic leads the Mavericks with 24.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game. He is traveling with Dallas for its upcoming four-game road trip:
Timing of Luka Doncic’s injury is particularly tough for two reasons: 1) Mavs left today for a challenging four-game trip (two vs. Suns, two vs. Clippers); 2) the Luka/Kristaps Porzingis duo had really started clicking. Doncic had 11 assists to Porzingis in last two games.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 16, 2021
Adding to Tim’s report, Luka is on the Mavs’ plane to Phoenix now and will be with the team through the four-game road trip, even if not playing. https://t.co/SLOlpktmbF
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) November 16, 2021
Dallas plays at the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday and next Tuesday.
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