Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic Scott Wachter-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Mavericks decide Luka Doncic's return will happen in Game 4

By Adam Stites | Last updated Apr 21, 2022 6:47 PM ET

The Dallas Mavericks were without star guard Luka Doncic for the first two games of a first-round series against the Utah Jazz and have reportedly ruled him out for Game 3. According to reporter Marc Stein, the team has decided that Game 4 will see Doncic's return.

Doncic, 23, suffered a calf injury during the Mavericks' regular-season finale against the San Antonio Spurs.

Doncic has made considerable progress this week in his recovery from a left calf strain -- partaking in more basketball activity Tuesday and Wednesday than initially hoped -- but Dallas decides to wait until Game 4.

More on the pre-game show tonight at 7 CT via @BallySportsSW. https://t.co/jHwqMolJxA
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) April 21, 2022

The Mavericks split the first two games in Dallas, thanks largely to a breakout, 41-point performance from Jalen Brunson in Game 2. Brunson hit a career-high six three-pointers to lead the Mavericks to a 110-104 win.

Doncic averaged 28.4 points, 8.7 assists, 9.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals during the 2021-22 season, leading the team in all four categories. The Mavericks finished the regular season fourth in the Western Conference with a 52-30 record and are playing the fifth-seeded Jazz, who had a 49-33 record.

Game 3 is scheduled for 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, and Game 4 is set for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET.

Adam Stites

Adam Stites is a Southern California native who lives in a new state every three months. He’s perennially disappointed by both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Arizona State Sun Devils. His dog is named Ramsey after the best cornerback in the NFL

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