By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Downgrading Luka Doncic from probable to questionable was considered a major concern for the Dallas Mavericks, heading to Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals.
However as it was announced almost one hour before the tip-off, Doncic will not miss the game.
Besides a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, making the Slovenian superstar a constant feature on the injury list throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, the latest update added a thoracic contusion, a few hours before tipoff in TD Garden.
Doncic dealing with pain in the shootaround is far from good news for the team coached by Jason Kidd. Still he was expected to at least try to play through several injuries once more. Especially with the Mavs trailing 1-0 in a best-of-seven series for the NBA championship, ruling out their key player from Game 2 does not seem like an option.
Doncic, 25, is averaging 28.8 points behind 44% from the field, 9.7 rebounds, and 8.4 assists per contest over 18 appearances in the postseason, despite noted ankle and knee issues. A separate injury in the mix complicates the plan for the coaching and medical staff to keep him in the best shape possible at the bottom end of an excruciating expedition through the 2023-24 Regular Season to the Playoffs.
Besides the NBA Finals and the Mavericks, injury concerns naturally extend to the senior national team of Slovenia, hoping to boost a bid to qualify for the Olympic Games with Doncic in the lineup for the approaching FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece.