Luka Doncic is out of action with a calf strain just before the start of the NBA season. He will miss the Dallas Mavericks’ preseason finale – but the Texans hope he will be fit for the start of the season
As head coach Jason Kidd confirmed on the sidelines of the Mavs’ practice on Monday, Doncic has suffered a “mild” strain in his left calf. The 24-year-old is currently unable to train with the team, instead keeping fit on a stationary bike and with throwing exercises.
He will thus definitely not be available for the Mavericks’ last preseason game on Saturday night against Detroit. He is to be examined again at the end of the week, and Kidd expressed hope that Doncic will be able to return for the start of the season. Well-connected journalist Marc Stein also reported that the Mavs are “optimistic” that Doncic will be fit in time. Dallas opens its season next week on Thursday night with a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Slovenian suffered the injury in Spain, where the Mavericks were playing a preseason game against Real Madrid (123-127). Doncic only played five minutes against his former team, as he had suffered the strain the day before in training. An MRI scan after returning to Dallas confirmed the diagnosis.
Irving back in practice
Doncic himself described the injury as “nothing serious”, however he has also struggled with a pulled calf in the past. Towards the end of the 2021/22 regular season he suffered the same injury once before, after which he had to take a twelve-day break and missed several play-off games.
Kidd had better news regarding Kyrie Irving. Doncic’s backcourt partner, who sat out the past two games with a groin injury, was able to fully participate in practice on Monday. “He’s been good,” Kidd said. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and we’ll go from there. “
