Speaking to the media after the Mavericks beat the Pelicans on Tuesday, Luka Doncic had a wrap on his wrist. When asked what it was and when it happened, he said: “I don’t know, honestly. I started to feel it in the first quarter, but then it just got worse, but nothing major” (via Grant Afseth).
Turns out it’s a bit more serious than “nothing”. Doncic has a sprained wrist and will be reevaluated in a week, the team announced.
The Dallas Mavericks announced today that an MRI revealed a right wrist sprain for guard Luka Dončić. Dončić sustained the injury during the Mavericks’ game against New Orleans on Tuesday.
Dončić will be reassessed in a week.
– Mavs PR (@MavsPR) November 21, 2024
That timeline has Doncic out for the team’s 3-game road trip that begins in Denver on Friday night in a big NBA Cup game.
Doncic is averaging 28.1 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists a game this season and the Mavericks are outscoring opponents by 7.9 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the court. While those numbers are impressive, Doncic has been less effective in getting there than in years past. He shoots just 32.4% on 3-pointers and has a 55 true shooting percentage, just slightly below the league average. For Mavericks fans looking for a silver lining, a week or so of layoff could be what Doncic needs to get his body right and get back to the efficient, MVP-level player we know.
Injuries were part of what has the Mavericks off to a slower-than-expected start at 8-7, but finally healthy they’ve won three in a row, including a clutch win at Oklahoma City (the Mavericks have struggled in the clutch. this season). Now losing Doncic is a setback and puts more on Kyrie Irving’s shoulders as a shot creator.
