By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Dealing with the absence of Luka Doncic in a crucial stage of the season is far from ideal for the Dallas Mavericks.
Doncic, 24, will be sidelined for a fifth game in a row with a left thigh strain after being ruled out for Monday’s game versus the Memphis Grizzlies, the last stop in a three-game road trip. Despite missing the Slovenian star, the Mavs prevailed against the San Antonio Spurs and Los Angeles Lakers in last week’s trips.
Improving to 36-35, Dallas earned a slim advantage of 0.5 games over the Golden State Warriors in the race for the sixth seed in the Western Conference and a direct ticket to the 2023 Playoffs. The crazy situation in the standings keeps the Mavericks at a relatively close distance of 2.5 games from the fourth seed and 1.5 games from being eliminated.
“It’s tough to be on a bench just sitting and watching, especially in these types of situations where we need every win we can get,” said Doncic after missing his fourth straight game, “It’s just frustrating to be on the bench right now.”
Prior to picking up the injury, the Slovenian guard made his way to 57 games of the 2022-23 NBA Regular Season. He tallied 33.0 points behind 50% from the field, 8.6 rebounds, 8.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks per contest.
Besides Doncic, Markieff Morris (left knee soreness) was also scratched for the visit to FedExForum. Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) and Kyrie Irving (right foot soreness) are both labeled as questionable.
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