Dallas Mavericks star guard Luka Doncic has sustained a right wrist strain and will miss at least one week, the team announced Thursday. Since Doncic will be reevaluated in a week, the seven-year veteran will miss games against the Denver Nuggets (Nov. 22), Miami Heat (Nov. 24), Atlanta Hawks (Nov. 25), and New York Knicks (Nov. 27).
Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Doncic downplayed his right wrist strain injury after Tuesday’s victory against the New Orleans Pelicans
Doncic, 25, had tried to downplay the injury after Tuesday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans before admitting that he began experiencing discomfort in the first quarter.
However, the five-time All-Star added that he thought it was “nothing serious,” and he would be able to play through it. Doncic was returning to the lineup against New Orleans after missing his first game of the season Sunday due to a right knee bruise.
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that an MRI revealed a right wrist sprain for guard Luka Dončić. Dončić sustained the injury during the Mavericks’ game against New Orleans on Tuesday.
Dončić will be reevaluated in one week.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) November 21, 2024
Last season, he averaged a career-high 33.9 points per game and missed just 12 regular-season contests. Doncic finished third in voting for MVP en route to Dallas advancing to the 2024 NBA Finals.
Through 14 games (all starts) this season, Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists, a career-high 1.6 steals, and 36.6 minutes per contest while shooting 43.5% from the field, 32.4% from 3-point range, and 78.3% at the free throw line. His true shooting percentage (55%) is the lowest since his rookie season (54.5%).
Coach Jason Kidd says the Mavs are “lucky to have” Doncic
In Dallas’ 114-102 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 26, he recorded a season-high 40 points on 12-of-25 (48%) shooting from the floor, 5-of-13 (38.5%) from beyond the arc, and 11-of-12 (91.7%) at the foul line. The five-time All-NBA member has six games this season with over 30 points in each.
Before Tuesday’s victory over the Pelicans, head coach Jason Kidd was asked about Doncic’s slower start than usual to the season when met with Noah Weber of “The Smoking Cuban.”
“[Doncic] has shown that he’s human, I think some of us have forgot that he’s human,” Kidd said. “So the way that he’s playing, he’s 28 and 8-for-8, you sign up for that all day long. He’s missed some shots, it happens… He’s one of the best players in the world, and we’re lucky to have him.”
According to ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI), the Mavericks (8-7) have a 74.2% chance to make the playoffs. Dallas is projected to finish 46-36 and sixth or better in the Western Conference.
As long as Doncic stays healthy in the months ahead, the Mavs should have no problem returning to the postseason. He leads the team in points, assists, and steals per game.
