The status of the Mavericks' most important player is unclear ahead of Sunday night's pivotal Game 4 against the Clippers.
After posting 44 points, nine assists and nine rebounds in Dallas' Game 3 loss, Luka Doncic told reporters that he was dealing with a neck issue. He has since been added to the official injury report, setting off alarm bells for Mavs fans hoping to see the two-time All-Star guide the team to victory and a 3-1 series lead.
MORE: Jusuf Nurkic calls out Kendrick Perkins after Trail Blazers' win
Here are the latest updates on Doncic ahead of Game 4.
Will Luka Doncic play vs. Clippers?
UPDATE: Doncic is expected to play in Game 4, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
ORIGINAL: Doncic said after Game 3 that he had felt some pain in his neck around halftime, and it also went down his left arm. The Mavericks have listed Doncic as questionable for Game 4 with a cervical strain. Injury expert Jeff Stotts noted that the average missed time for a cervical strain is less than one game.
Dallas coach Rick Carlisle believes Doncic will play, but he said the team will see how he feels Sunday.
Rick Carlisle on Luka's neck injury: "I think he's going to play, but we'll see tomorrow. ... Questionable, generally, from what I've seen this year with other teams and our team is more likely to play than not, in most cases."
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) May 29, 2021
Through the first three games of the series, Doncic is averaging 38.0 points, 9.0 assists and 8.7 rebounds while shooting 51.9 percent from the field and 45.9 percent from 3-point range.
Clippers vs. Mavericks Game 4 injury report
(Current as of 8:30 p.m. ET Saturday)
Team | Player | Status | Reason |
Mavericks | Luka Doncic | Questionable | Cervical; strain |
Mavericks | Maxi Kleber | Probable | Right Achilles; soreness |
Mavericks | JJ Redick | Out | Right Achilles; injury |
Clippers | Serge Ibaka | Questionable | Back; spasms |