Luka Doncic is dealing with a calf injury that is putting his availability for the start of the Dallas Mavericks season in jeopardy. We are only thirteen days away from their opening matchup against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, and it would be a disappointing start to the year if Doncic is not ready to go.
“I am only going to play the cards that I am dealt that are cleared to play. We have to prepare if Luka, Maxi, P.J., whoever else is hurt, there is a lot of them, that maybe don’t play opening night,” said Jason Kidd.
“What we are looking at right now is who can handle the backup point guard if Spencer has to start, or understand if we can start someone else and Spencer comes off the bench. We will look at different lineups here, we have two more games left, one in LA and one at home, just to see and be prepared if some of the guys that are hurt can’t go on the 24th,” said Kidd.
Based on the statement form the head coach it seems they are optimistic that the Slovenian superstar will be ready to go, but they are proceeding with caution, knowing that there is a possibility he misses.
ESPN reported on October 2nd that the team announced Doncic would sit out at least a week with the left calf contusion. He has yet to play in a preseason game and likely will not participate in the exhibition games at all.
A mild contusion typically takes a week at most to heal, and given that he is still not ready to go, Doncic could be dealing with a moderate to severe version of the injury, which can take up to 4-6 weeks to recover from.
Dallas has high expectations this season, coming off a trip to the NBA Finals, and there is no way they will risk further injury by pushing their superstar player early in the season. If he is fully recovered, he should be in the lineup, but if the injury lingers at all, it is safe to say Doncic will be sidelined for at least the first couple of regular-season games.
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