Luka Dončić, the Slovenian player and star of the Dallas Mavericks, injured his calf during the Christmas Day game, which ended in a 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Mavs were able to cut a 28-point deficit to just two in the final minute, but it ultimately wasn't enough.
Dončić suffered his injury during the second quarter, after stepping on his left foot following a dribble. He gestured to the sidelines asking to be substituted, with a pained look on his face. He then left the stadium on crutches.
The worst omens regarding Dončić have been confirmed by ESPN, saying the playmaker will be out for at least a month. He will be re-evaluated in 30 days, but there is no guarantee he will be fit to play by then.
Dončić suffered his injury during the second quarter, after stepping on his left foot after a dribble. He gestured to the sidelines asking to be substituted, with a pained look on his face. He then left the stadium on crutches.
Luka Dončić will be missing from the All-NBA team for the first time in five years.
This is not the first time that Luka has suffered pain in his left calf. In fact, this is the third time he has suffered an injury there. This year, he missed most of the preseason, including friendlies, with a left calf contusion. The same thing happened in 2023.
Bad news for the Dallas Mavericks, currently fourth in the Western Conference, and even worse for Doncic, who will miss his chances of aspiring to the MVP and All-NBA title. NBA rules require players to appear in at least 65 games. Dončić has already missed eight games, and with this injury he will miss at least nine, but probably more: the Mavs are already preparing for an “extended absence.”
Since joining the Mavericks from Real Madrid in 2018, Dončić has been included in the All-NBA team every year since 2020, which selects the five best players of the season. This year, he was well positioned to become the MVP, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game.
