Doncic (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's preseason opener against the Grizzlies, NBA writer Marc Stein reports. Doncic took an inadvertent kick to his left calf during Sunday's private workout and underwent an MRI on Tuesday after experiencing tightness during Monday's first training camp practice. The MVP candidate will likely miss more than one exhibition and could be sidelined for the entire preseason schedule. However, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com, Doncic is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener against the Spurs on Oct. 24.
Unlock the latest Dallas Mavericks news — direct to your inbox.
Status
GTD - Calf - Bruise Expected Return: 2024-10-24Latest Luka Dončić news
Team
Dallas Mavericks
Birthdate
2/28/1999 (25)
Status
ACT
HT/WT
6'7", 230 lbs
Draft Info
2018: Rd 1; Pk 3 (ATL)
Birthplace
Ljubljana,, SVN
Position
PG
Experience
6 seasons
Career History
Dallas Mavericks
2018-Present
(6 seasons)
Check back soon for fresh projections!
Can't wait for more data?
Join dfsPro Daily for free
AI-powered Fantasy Picks
Year-Round.
Doncic (calf) has been ruled out for Monday's preseason opener against the Grizzlies, NBA writer Marc Stein reports. Doncic took an inadvertent kick to his left calf during Sunday's private workout and underwent an MRI on Tuesday after experiencing tightness during Monday's first training camp practice. The MVP candidate will likely miss more than one exhibition and could be sidelined for the entire preseason schedule. However, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com, Doncic is expected to be ready for the regular-season opener against the Spurs on Oct. 24.
Doncic suffered a left calf contusion during Wednesday's practice and will be re-evaluated in one week. Doncic dealt with ankle, knee and chest injuries during the Mavericks' playoff run last season but didn't miss any games and was active during the summer, playing for the Slovenia national team during an Olympic qualifying tournament. It's concerning to see the MVP candidate already dealing with another injury, but there's no indication he's in danger of missing the start of the regular season.
Doncic is ramping up his workload ahead of training camp and has been practicing with the club Ilirija in Slovenia, the DLLS Mavs Podcast reports. Doncic had a busy offseason while preparing for the 2024-25 season. The All-Star appeared in three outings for Slovenia during the qualifying round of the Paris Olympics, totaling 83 points, 29 rebounds and 25 assists in that span. After failing to qualify for the Olympics, Doncic spent time practicing with Ilirija in Slovenia, and he is fully ready for training camp after a short offseason. The perennial MVP candidate averaged a career-high 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds across 37.5 minutes per game in 70 regular-season outings last year.
Doncic posted 21 points (7-14 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-6 FT), seven rebounds, five assists and one steal across 34 minutes in Slovenia's 96-68 loss to Greece on Saturday. Doncic produced a decent game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and Greece, but Slovenia was eliminated from the Paris Olympic Qualifying Tournament with a second group-phase loss. Over three games, the 25-year-old accumulated 83 points, 29 rebounds, 25 assists and three steals. Doncic shot 38.7 percent from the field, which was drastically brought down by his 8-for-30 mark from deep. The All-Star was a top MVP candidate last year, during which he averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 70 regular-season games. Doncic will now get a much-needed break from game action after a long NBA season that included a loss to the Celtics in the NBA Finals.
Doncic posted 26 points (8-23 FG, 0-9 3Pt, 10-11 FT), 11 rebounds, 10 assists and one steal across 37 minutes in Slovenia's 108-92 loss to Croatia on Tuesday. Doncic is known for his ability to do it all on a nightly basis. The All-Star accumulated 21 triple-doubles in the 2023-24 regular-season, and he has become a walking triple-double with the Mavericks throughout his six-year career. Doncic was a top MVP candidate last season, during which he averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 70 regular-season appearances. However, he shot just 0-for-9 from deep against Croatia, an issue he also had in the NBA Finals against Boston when he shot just 24.4 percent from three in five games.
Doncic (ankle/knee/chest) is expected to play in Slovenia's exhibition against Brazil on Friday, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports. Slovenia's roster hasn't been finalized, so Doncic's availability hasn't been confirmed. However, the NBA superstar is expected to play after sitting out a match against Lithuania on Tuesday. Friday's game is Slovenia's final preparation before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece, which starts July 2. Doncic dealt with multiple injuries during Dallas' run to the NBA Finals, so Slovenia is expected to monitor his workload during the Olympics.
Doncic ended Monday's 106-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with 28 points (12-25 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 2-5 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals across 43 minutes. Despite losing the series 4-1, Doncic was spectacular for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals. The five-time All-Star dealt with a litany of injuries throughout the playoffs, including a thoracic contusion, a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, but still led all players in scoring in the Finals. Across five NBA Finals games, Doncic averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals while shooting 47.2 percent from the field. The 25-year-old did struggle from deep, shooting only 24.4 percent, and he was also seen as a defensive liability at times. However, Doncic and the Mavericks will look to build off their strong season and run it back next year, as he now has NBA Finals experience under his belt.
Doncic (thoracic contusion) is available for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics. Doncic is dealing with a thoracic contusion, but he has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of Monday's Game 5. The All-Star will lead the Mavericks into Boston as Dallas looks to cut the series deficit to 3-2 and come back from down 3-0, a feat that has never been accomplished in NBA Finals history. Doncic has been solid throughout the series, averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the field.
Doncic (thoracic contusion) is listed as probable for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics. Doncic has been a mainstay on the injury report in the playoffs, but with the Mavericks' NBA Finals hopes in jeopardy, his status seems to be nothing more than precautionary. Through four NBA Finals games, the All-Star is averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes. Doncic has struggled from deep, shooting just 25.0 percent from three. However, he is still shooting an efficient 47.0 percent from the field this series.