Doncic suffered the injury during Tuesday’s game against New Orleans
Luka Doncic suffered a right wrist sprain and will be out for at least one week, the Mavericks announced Thursday morning. The team said Doncic underwent an MRI, revealing the injury and he’ll be evaluated again next week.
Dallas also said Doncic suffered the injury during the Mavericks 41-point blowout win against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Doncic never seemed to visibly suffer an injury during the game, so it’s unsure exactly when or what play the injury happened.
With Doncic missing at least one week, that means he is guaranteed to miss the next four games:
- Friday at Denver
- Sunday at Miami
- Monday at Atlanta
- Wednesday home against New York
Thursday of next week would be Doncic’s evaluation, and then the Mavericks play that Saturday, Nov. 30 at Utah — that would be the earliest Doncic could return. The timing of this is unfortunate, as the Mavericks just got back PJ Washington, Dereck Lively, and Maxi Kleber from injury. Good news for the Mavericks is that the schedule is easing up — seven of the Mavericks next 12 games are against teams currently under .500.
A glass-half full optimist could look at this as a blessing as well, with Doncic being dinged up by lower body injuries all season. He suffered a calf strain early in training camp, missed all of preseason, then hurt the same knee that bothered him during last season’s playoffs. On top of that, there have been moments in the last week or so with Doncic holding his groin, although that’s never been officially part of the injury report (UPDATE: It was!). Doncic has looked a little gimpy since opening night, and even though it’s not ideal circumstances, the additional time off could get his legs in better shape when he does return.
The Mavericks have won three in a row after a disastorious four-game losing streak, and are appearing to right the ship. Keeping the momentum without Doncic will be difficult, but considering Doncic’s health and his cold shooting percentages to start the season, this could be long-term helpful for the Mavericks. Bottom line: Dallas needs Doncic as healthy as possible, and this time away (barring no setbacks) should hopefully allow that to happen.