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