DALLAS, TX -DECEMBER 25 : Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks leaves the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the primary half at American Airlines Center on December 25, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ron Jenkins/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Ron Jenkins / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
DALLAS — While the Dallas Mavericks wait to see how long they’ll be without Luka Doncic due to his latest left calf injury, they’ve one other example of easy methods to stay afloat until the superstar’s return.
Doncic exited late within the second quarter of a 105-99 Christmas Day loss to Minnesota on Wednesday, and the deflated Mavs found themselves down 28 points late within the third.
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Yet, Kyrie Irving had a 3-point attempt in the ultimate minute that might have put Dallas in front. His shot was short, as was the rally.
READ: NBA: Edwards, Wolves hold on to beat Mavs after Doncic injury
“It’s sort of deflating,” said Klay Thompson, who passed Reggie Miller for fifth on the profession 3-point list in the course of the spirited Dallas rally. “Now we have such a deep roster, and that’s why we are able to withstand this time without him. We obviously usually are not the identical without Luka within the lineup. We’re going to do every thing we are able to to go on a run here without him.”
Dallas coach Jason Kidd had no update on Doncic after the sport.
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The five-time All-Star was running a play on offense when he stopped, passed and reached toward his lower legs. Doncic stayed where he was until the Mavs could call timeout. He limped off with 2:31 remaining in the primary half.
It was the second game back for Doncic after he missed two games with a left heel contusion. The 25-year-old has a history of issues along with his left calf, missing all or many of the past two preseasons while previously sitting the primary three games of the 2022 playoffs.
Doncic, who scored 14 points in 16 minutes against the Wolves and is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and seven.8 assists per game, missed five games this season with a right wrist sprain. He has missed eight overall, but Dallas is 6-2 without him.
Now the Mavs have managed an enormous rally without him, even when it wasn’t enough for the victory.
READ: NBA: Luka Doncic out for Mavericks with right wrist sprain
“I feel this can be a group that may win,” Kidd said. “They imagine that. And so they’ve shown that. The record speaks for itself. But we also need him. He’s just been hit with some injuries here of late. Hopefully this one isn’t that serious. But we do need him if we would like to win a championship.”
Irving scored 39 points within the loss to the Timberwolves, while Thompson finished with 12 on 4-of-10 shooting from 3. Thompson now has 2,562 profession 3-pointers to Miller’s 2,560.
Irving is averaging 24 points without Doncic. Each missed a loss to the Los Angeles Clippers last week.
Spencer Dinwiddie, who returned to the Mavs this offseason and has been a crucial option with Doncic sidelined, missed all seven of his shots against the Wolves and finished with two points.
It’s likely time for Dallas to search out a rhythm again among the many supporting solid for no less than a number of games without the franchise player.
“Just playing selfless basketball,” said Thompson, who’s in his first season with the Mavs after winning 4 championships with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green in Golden State.
“Realize Kyrie’s going to take us home, he’s our closer. But for everyone else on the team, it’s nearly getting in good rhythm and trusting each other and playing hard, especially defensively. He’s obviously our greatest player, but we’ve got to be tested, and that is an excellent test ahead.”
