DALLAS — After shedding Luka Doncic to a strained left calf, an harm that sources informed ESPN may sideline the celebrity for an prolonged time frame, the Dallas Mavericks‘ bid for a Christmas miracle comeback fell simply quick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves escaped American Airlines Center with a 105-99 win Wednesday after the Mavs whittled a 28-point second-half deficit to a one-possession margin within the closing minute.
That was no comfort for a Dallas squad that’s bracing for its perennial MVP candidate to overlook a number of video games. Doncic is anticipated to endure an MRI on Thursday to find out the severity of his calf pressure, sources mentioned.
“It stings for positive for all of us,” mentioned Mavs co-star Kyrie Irving, who scored a game-high 39 factors to present the Mavs an opportunity to win with out Doncic. “Praying for Luka simply to have a speedy restoration. However lengthy the timetable is, we will have to regulate. It’s simply the character of the enterprise. Hopefully, he simply takes his time and comes again when he is prepared.”
Irving scored 26 factors after Doncic was dominated out for the remainder of the sport at halftime, together with 15 within the fourth quarter, matching Minnesota’s complete within the closing body. Irving tried a pull-up 3-pointer with 36.1 seconds remaining that will have given the Mavs the lead. The shot bounced off the entrance rim and was rebounded by Timberwolves celebrity Anthony Edwards, who drove for the dagger layup on the following possession.
“We put ourselves in place. He had an excellent take a look at the three,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd mentioned of Irving. “It was quick, however we’ll take that shot all day.”
Doncic exited late within the second quarter after grimacing in ache when he planted on his left foot after selecting up his dribble. He instantly seemed towards the Mavs’ bench to point he was injured and was unable to get again on protection.
After the Timberwolves scored, the Mavs referred to as a timeout with 2:31 remaining within the first half to permit Doncic to go away the sport. He hobbled to the locker room for additional analysis and was dominated out minutes later.
Doncic used crutches whereas leaving the sector postgame, sources informed ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Doncic has already missed eight video games this season with a wide range of accidents, together with a proper knee contusion, a proper wrist sprain and a left heel contusion. He returned from a two-game absence as a result of heel harm for Monday’s dwelling win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
“Hopefully, this will likely be his final [injury],” Kidd mentioned, “and hopefully, it is not too critical.”
Doncic has a historical past of accidents to that calf. Most lately, he missed all of this 12 months’s coaching camp and preseason due to a left calf contusion. This is the third time Doncic has strained the calf lately. He missed the primary three video games of the 2022 playoffs after straining it through the regular-season finale and was sidelined for many of the 2023 preseason after straining it throughout a observe in Madrid.
Doncic, a first-team All-NBA choice over the previous 5 seasons, scored 14 factors in 16 minutes towards Minnesota. He entered the sport averaging 28.8 factors, 8.5 rebounds and eight.1 assists per recreation.
The Mavs (19-11) have had success with out Doncic this season. Dallas is 6-2 in video games that Doncic missed, together with a loss wherein Irving additionally was sidelined.
The Mavs outscored the Timberwolves by a 31-11 margin within the first 11 minutes of the fourth quarter to present Dallas an opportunity at pulling off its most inconceivable win of the season.
It would have been a disastrous setback for the Timberwolves (15-14), who had misplaced their earlier three video games and had been tormented by stagnant offense in clutch conditions all season. Minnesota was 4-of-19 from the ground within the fourth quarter Wednesday till Edwards acquired a few buckets on drives within the closing 1:17.
“I do not need to sound like ignorant, however simply give me the rock,” mentioned Edwards, who completed with 26 factors on 11-of-24 taking pictures. “We’ll determine it out. I really feel such as you simply put the ball in my arms, stay and die with what occurs.”
