Luka Doncic has entered the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, the Mavericks announced on Wednesday, Dec. 22.
Kristaps Porzingis (right toe soreness) will be questionable for tomorrow night’s game against the Bucks.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) December 22, 2021
Luka Dončić (health & safety protocols) and Trey Burke (health & safety protocols) will be out.
Doncic has appeared in 21 games this season, posting averages of 25.6 points, 8.5 assists and 8.0 rebounds on .447/.326/.698 shooting splits. He had missed five straight games with an ankle injury prior to entering the league's health and safety protocols.
Including Doncic, the Mavericks currently have seven players in health and safety protocols.
MORE: Updated team-by-team list of players in health and safety protocols
Why did Luka Doncic enter the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols?
As TSN's Gilbert McGregor recently detailed, any vaccinated NBA player is placed in the health and safety protocols after testing positive for COVID-19 or receiving an inconclusive COVID-19 test result.
In addition to receiving a positive or inconclusive test result, an unvaccinated player is also placed in the league's health and safety protocols if they have been deemed to have been exposed to a person who is positive for COVID-19.
MORE: NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocols, explained
How long will Luka Doncic be out?
If any player tests positive for COVID-19, they must spend a minimum of 10 days away from their team unless they return two negative PCR tests within a 24-hour span.
Unvaccinated players who are flagged for contact tracing must quarantine for seven days and can return to action should they continue to return negative tests. In most cases, vaccinated players who are flagged for contact tracing will not be required to quarantine, but need seven days of more frequent testing.
In addition to receiving clearance from the league, individual teams can implement a return-to-play program to ensure a player is prepared for the cardiovascular demands of getting back on the floor.
Over the last few weeks, multiple players have tested out of the league's health and safety protocols to return to their team in less than 10 days.
Will Luka Doncic play on Christmas?
Since he entered the NBA's health and safety protocols on Dec. 22, Doncic would have to test out of the protocols to play against the Jazz on Christmas Day.
If Doncic is out for 10 days, he could miss six games.
Mavericks upcoming schedule
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | Broadcast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Dec. 23 | vs. Milwaukee | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Sat, Dec. 25 | at Utah | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Mon, Dec. 27 | at Portland | 10:00 p.m. | |
| Wed, Dec. 29 | at Sacramento | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Fri, Dec. 31 | at Sacramento | 6:00 p.m. | |
| Sat, Jan. 2 | at Oklahoma City | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Sun, Jan. 3 | vs. Denver | 8:30 p.m. | |
| Tue, Jan. 5 | vs. Golden State | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
