Per reports, Luka Doncic is now expected to miss Game 1 of the Dallas Mavericks vs Utah Jazz series after a calf injury sustained during the final game of the NBA regular season.
The Dallas Mavericks are set to face the Utah Jazz in round one of the NBA playoffs, but will now start the series without their best player. Doncic, who sustained a calf injury against the Spurs on Sunday, is set to miss his 18th game of the season as his team enters the most important part of the year.
Luka Doncic, one of the league’s best players, posted the highest usage rate in the NBA this season for Dallas and is the fundamental piece of the Mavs’ offense. Without him, Dallas will need contributions from guards Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie, who will run the offense in his absence.
Brunson averaged career-highs in points and assists this season with 16.3 and 4.8 per game, respectively. Dinwiddie has shined with Dallas as well, scoring 15.8 points per game and shooting over 40% from three since Dallas acquired him mid-season.
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The Mavericks have yet to set a clear timeline for Doncic return, so a return in Game 2 is not out of the question. Since this may be the only game without Doncic, Game 1 is now a must-win for a Jazz team that enters the playoffs after struggling toward the end of the season.
The Utah Jazz will start a first-round series on the road for the first time since 2020 when they were ousted in 7 games by the Denver Nuggets.
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Luka Doncic is an elite playoff performer, with averages of 33.5 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.8 rebounds in his playoff career. The Mavericks will hope to get him back soon, as they may struggle in his absence during Game 1. The Mavericks have an 8-9 record without Luka Doncic this season, compared to 44-21 with him.
