Jason Kidd Provides Concerning Luka Doncic Injury Update
The Mavericks head coach revealed on Monday that star player Luka Doncic has been diagnosed with a mild calf strain.
The Dallas Mavericks are less than two weeks away from opening the 2023-24 NBA season against the San Antonio Spurs. While Mavericks fans have a lot of faith in this year's team, it goes without saying that success will be harder to achieve if Luka Doncic isn't healthy.
Doncic has been dealing with a calf injury over the last few weeks. While his injury held him to fewer than five minutes played against Real Madrid — his former team — in an exhibition game last week, most Mavs fans assumed it was just precautionary.
Unfortunately, it's looking like No. 77's injury is more serious than we thought.
Sorry about blurry video, but Jason Kidd says Doncic received an MRI and has a mild calf strain. He did not practice today, will not play in Friday’s preseason finale and will be re-evaluated at week’s end. Also gave update about Irving. pic.twitter.com/HuHXcZ4xA9
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) October 16, 2023
Luka Doncic Injury Update
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd revealed on Monday that MRI results revealed that Doncic is dealing with a "mild calf strain," per Dallas Morning News' Brad Townsend. A good chunk of medical experts list the common recovery time for a Grade 1 calf strain at "1-3 weeks."
With the season opener taking place on Oct. 25, hopefully, Doncic's recovery leans toward the shorter end of that recovery time.
Unsurprisingly, Kidd also revealed that Doncic's injury will keep him out of Friday's preseason finale against the Detroit Pistons. The four-time NBA All-Star averaged 17.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while averaging 17.3 minutes across three 2023-24 preseason games.
It goes without saying how much a prolonged absence would hurt the Mavericks. Doncic, as usual, was our best player last season, leading the team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and free throws. On top of that, Dallas was an uninspiring 5-11 across 16 games without him in 2022-23.
Fingers crossed that Doncic uses the next nine days to get back to full strength to begin their quest for an NBA Championship. As it stands, Dallas holds the ninth-best odds (+2200) to win the 2023-24 NBA Finals on DraftKings Sportsbook.
If you're looking to make futures bets on Doncic or the Mavs before the season, make sure to do it on DK. Their $200 instant bonus bets promotion means new users will get their credits right away; all they have to do is place a first wager of $5! Make sure you act now before this offer's gone!
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