After dropping Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics on Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks will try to tie up the series at 1-1 on Sunday night for Game 2.
However, before Game 2 tips off at 8 p.m. ET, the Mavs are concerned about the playing status of superstar point guard Luka Doncic. Marc Stein reported on Sunday that Doncic was listed as questionable with multiple injuries (thoracic contusion, right knee sprain, and left ankle soreness).
On the NBA's 1:30 PM ET injury report, Dalas' Luka Dončić is now listed as questionable (downgraded from probable) for tonight's Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 9, 2024
The listed injuries: Thoracic Contusion; Right Knee Sprain; Left Ankle Soreness
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Doncic was downgraded from probable, which isn’t a good sign, given that the Mavs are down 0-1 and 6.5-point underdogs on FanDuel Sportsbook.
However, Grant Afseth of Mavericks Gameday reported on Sunday that the star guard has been listed on the injury report with a right knee sprain since the Mavs’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Some Luka Doncic injury history:
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) June 9, 2024
He's been listed on the injury report with a right knee sprain since the Dallas Mavericks' first-round series against the LA Clippers.
Left ankle soreness was added during the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Afseth pointed out that the left ankle soreness showed up during the Western Conference semifinals against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Mavs beat writer added that thoracic contusion is a new injury and Doncic wasn’t on the court for the team’s open portion of shootaround.
Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic has an additional injury listed and was downgraded to questionable for Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) June 9, 2024
New: Thoracic contusion
Also: Right knee sprain
Also: Left ankle soreness
Doncic was not on the court during the open portion of shootaround.
With this being the NBA Finals, it’s unlikely Doncic would sit in a pivotal game as the Mavericks are trying to avoid going down 0-2. In Game 1, the 25-year-old point guard had 30 points (12-26 FG, 4-12 3pt), 10 rebounds and an assist.
Nonetheless, it will be interesting to see how Doncic plays offensively against Boston as he deals with the thoracic contusion, plus the other two lower body injuries.
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