Five-time All-Star guard Luka Doncic will join the Dallas Mavericks on their upcoming road trip, which starts Saturday in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz. Doncic, 25, has missed the past five games because of a right wrist sprain. The seven-year veteran sustained the injury on Nov. 19 versus the New Orleans Pelicans.
Dallas Mavericks star guard Luka Doncic participated in a five-on-five scrimmage, remains out with a right wrist sprain
Doncic dubbed his wrist injury as “nothing serious” in his postgame press conference from last Tuesday night. Per reports, the 6-foot-6 Doncic returned to practice with his teammates Friday and “looked good” and is “trending in the right direction,” according to coach Jason Kidd.
“Everything that has come back that he looks good and is getting closer to coming back,” Kidd added. Doncic has yet to play at full strength this season, as he has also dealt with a calf contusion and knee contusion over the last two months.
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Dončić (right wrist sprain) is doubtful to play against the Utah Jazz.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) November 29, 2024
Doncic, who still has his right wrist wrapped, recently participated in a five-on-five “get ready” game with several members of the team’s coaching staff and alongside teammates Dwight Powell, Markieff Morris, and Olivier Maxence-Prosper.
However, Doncic is officially listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game. The Jazz matchup is the first leg of a back-to-back that concludes in Portland against the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Mavs have gone 4-1 without Doncic this season
Last season, the Mavericks won only four of 12 games in Doncic’s absence. Since Doncic suffered his injury on Nov. 19 against New Orleans, the Mavs have gone 4-1 in that stretch.
Two of those games included a 129-119 win at Atlanta on Monday and Wednesday’s 129-114 victory over the New York Knicks. The Mavs had four players score at least 20 points in each of their most recent wins, setting a team record.
Four players scored 20+ points for the Mavs in tonight’s win vs. NYK: Marshall (24), Irving (23), Grimes (21) and Dinwiddie (21).
With the Mavs also accomplishing the feat at ATL, Dallas has recorded back-to-back games with 4 20-point scorers for the first time in Mavs history. pic.twitter.com/rnKjolQXuM
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) November 28, 2024
Against the Knicks, Naji Marshall scored 24, Kyrie Irving finished with 23, and Quentin Grimes and Spencer Dinwiddie scored 21 each. Overall, the Mavs’ depth has kept them afloat without their leading scorer.
Dallas has had at least six players reach double figures in each of its past six games. In the Mavs’ 123-120 win over the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 22, seven players scored in double figures.
The Mavericks take on the Jazz at 9:30 p.m. ET. on Saturday night.
