Monday night against Utah becomes the seventh game that Luka Doncic has been out with an ankle sprain he suffered in practice. It also could be the last.
Doncic went through a 5-on-5 practice (according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN) and the hope is that he returns Wednesday, according to Mark Cuban. Who should know.
Luka Doncic played 5-on-5 at the Mavs' practice facility Monday morning, sources told ESPN. It was his first live action since spraining his right ankle Jan. 30. The Mavs hope Doncic will be cleared to play Wednesday against the Kings.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 10, 2020
Mavs news of note from @mcuban visit on new @BenandSkin show:
— Mark Followill (@MFollowill) February 10, 2020
1. Expects Luka to play Wednesday vs Sacramento
2. Dirk jersey retirement will be early next season
That timeline would have Doncic playing in the All-Star Game, where he was voted a starter by the fans. The league office takes issue with players who take the court in their final game before the ASG then try to sit out the game itself.
The Mavericks have gone 3-3 without Doncic, throw in the four games he missed earlier in the season with a sprained ankle and Dallas is 5-5 without him. They are 27-16 with him in the lineup.
In just his second season in the league, and still just age 20, Doncic has played his way into the MVP ballot discussion averaging 28.8 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 8.5 assists a game. His pick-and-roll game is as good as any in the league and he is the heart of Dallas’ league-best offense.