By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
An encouraging update on the injury status of Luka Doncic projects a return to action before the All-Star break.
The latest setback, a left calf strain, removed the Slovenian superstar from the MVP race. He was recently officially disqualified from the annual NBA awards since he will not be able to meet the requirement of playing in 65 games of the 2024-25 Regular Season. However, he might be cleared to play in the All-Star Game.
Multiple reports stemming from Dallas, including TNT’s Jared S. Greenberg reporting during Tuesday’s game between the Mavs and the Denver Nuggets in American Airlines Center, revealed team hopes for Doncic to boost the team coached by Jason Kidd in early February, based on progressing ahead of schedule.
Doncic, 25, was initially ruled out for at least one month and set to be re-evaluated after one month in late December. The All-Star break is scheduled for February 14 to 16 with the All-Star Game in San Francisco’s Chase Center on February 16.
The native of Ljubljana was present in the five previous meetings of the best players in the league, since his introduction in 2020. He may extend that streak but he will miss on a sixth straight year in the All-NBA First Team due to various injuries.
This season, his seventh in the league and Dallas since departing Real Madrid in 2018, Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, 7.8 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.4 blocks per contest over 22 appearances.
At 22-18, the Mavericks currently rank sixth in the Western Conference, the lowest seed corresponding to a direct ticket to the Playoffs.