Can the Mavericks Stay Afloat After Luka Doncic’s Calf Strain?
Over the last month, the Mavericks have finally looked like the true threat to win the championship with a much-improved 14-3 stretch over such time. One of the main contributors to such a streak is star Luka Doncic, who, since his injury, has looked better than ever and is now averaging his superstar normals of 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists on much better-shooting percentages than the seemed to be out of shape star started the season with. However, during what would turn into one of the best games on Christmas Day, Luka would end up straining his calf on a seemingly non-contact play with about three minutes left in the second quarter. Doncic received the ball from fellow star Kyrie Irving on a pin-down and started to drive on Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels before limping off the court in pain when trying a stepback around the free-throw line area.
The only reason the game was close was due to a masterful performance by Irving, who would score 39 points, almost leading a 20-point comeback for the home team, the Mavericks. Irving, who has averaged 24 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.6 rebounds when Luka has been hurt, is going to need to continue this for about the next month. With the latest report from ESPN’s NBA Insider Shams Charania, Doncic is scheduled to be ruled out for almost a month before his next revaluation, which will most likely take him out of any all-NBA or award honors due to a rule implemented by the league in 2023-24 season. The Mavericks can’t worry about that, as they have been surprisingly good with Luka’s absence so far this season, posting a 6-2 record during the eight games the star has already missed this year. The key players are going to have to keep playing at a high level, though, if the Mavs want to continue the momentum they were starting to build.
With the difference between the four and 11 seeds only being five games, there is seemingly no room for error in a stacked Western Conference race. Kyrie will more than likely carry the load, but Dallas is going to need others like Klay Thompson and P.J. Washington to step up for certain games if Dallas wants to compete with the best. Losing a top-five player in the league would be the end of a lot of teams' seasons, but the Mavericks should be confident that they can keep their momentum afloat. With multiple games against the Suns, Cavs, Celtics, and Thunder, the Mavericks couldn’t have asked for this injury at a worse time, but on the other hand, it’s better for Luka to be healthy in the latter part of the season than in January. Washington, specifically, who has averaged 17 points per game without Luka while on the Mavs, can provide that second scoring option on some nights, but like the previous stint, Dallas will still need that new guy every night like Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes became earlier in the year. The Mavericks definitely have enough talent to stay afloat through the crowded schedule; it’ll just be a matter of who can come alongside Irving in terms of scoring leeway.
