Dallas Mavericks’ Superstar Luka Doncic Set For an Extended Period on the Sidelines After Suffering a Calf Strain vs Timberwolves

27 Dec 2024 ScoreWaves Staff view

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The Dallas Mavericks have kicked off the 2024/25 season in impressive style. With 30 games under their belt, they sit comfortably in fourth place in the Western Conference standings, boasting a solid 19-11 record. At the heart of this stellar start has been none other than Luka Doncic. However, Christmas Day brought more than just a bitter loss to the Timberwolves—it also delivered Mavs fans’ worst nightmare. Late in the second quarter, their superstar was forced to withdraw due to a calf strain.

Luka Dončić’s Christmas Day didn’t go as planned, and neither did the Mavericks’. The five-time All-Star exited late in the second quarter of a 105-99 loss to the Timberwolves. The incident occurred when Dončić was running an offensive play. After stopping to pass, he suddenly reached for his lower leg in discomfort. He remained on the court until a timeout was called, eventually limping off with 2:31 left in the first half. This was only Dončić’s second game back after sitting out two matches due to a left heel contusion. Unfortunately, injuries to his left calf are nothing new for the 25-year-old. He has previously missed significant preseason action and was sidelined for the first three games of the 2022 playoffs due to similar issues.

Luka racked 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists in 16 minutes before injuring his calf. Furthermore, the Slovenian is one of the league’s most prolific scorers, averaging 28.1 points per game as well as 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. Therefore, Luka’s absence would be a huge loss for the Mavs. However, in the eight games that Doncic has missed this season, the Mavs have a 6-2 record. “I think this is a group that can win,” Kidd said. “They believe that. And they’ve shown that. The record speaks for itself. But we also need him. He’s just been hit with some injuries here of late. Hopefully this one isn’t that serious. But we do need him if we want to win a championship.”

With Luka Dončić sidelined, the spotlight shifts to Kyrie Irving as the Mavericks’ primary ball-handler—and the 32-year-old has proven he can deliver. In games without Luka, Irving has flourished, averaging an impressive 24 points per game. However, the pressure isn't solely on Irving. Players like Klay Thompson and Spencer Dinwiddie will also need to rise to the occasion. That wasn’t the case on Christmas Day, though. Against the Timberwolves, Thompson managed just 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting from beyond the arc, while Dinwiddie struggled mightily, missing all seven of his attempts and finishing with a mere two points.

Now, with Luka out for the foreseeable future, the Mavericks will need their stars—and their entire supporting cast—to elevate their game. The Western Conference is as fiercely competitive as ever, with just one win separating the fifth-placed Denver Nuggets from the eleventh-placed San Antonio Spurs. For Dallas to maintain their strong start and remain in the playoff hunt, consistency and contributions across the roster will be critical.

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