DALLAS — As the Dallas Mavericks await news on the duration of Luka Doncic’s absence due to a left calf injury, they have shown they can navigate the landscape without their star player. Doncic left the game in the closing moments of the second quarter during a 105-99 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day, with the team facing a daunting 28-point deficit late in the third quarter.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Kyrie Irving had a late-game 3-point shot that could have given Dallas a chance to win, but it narrowly missed its mark, leaving the Mavericks disappointed. “It’s kind of deflating,” remarked Klay Thompson, who set a milestone by surpassing Reggie Miller for fifth place on the all-time 3-point list during the game. “We have such a deep roster, and that’s why we can withstand this time without him. We obviously are not the same without Luka in the lineup. We are going to do everything we can to go on a run here without him.”
Following the game, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd did not provide any updates on Doncic’s condition. The five-time All-Star experienced discomfort while running a play, which led him to stop and signal for help. He limped off the court with 2:31 left in the half, and this incident marked his return after missing two games due to a left heel contusion. Doncic, 25, has a track record of calf injuries, having missed parts of previous seasons, including crucial playoff games and preseason matches.
Against the Timberwolves, Doncic managed to score 14 points in just 16 minutes, maintaining an impressive average of 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists this season. Despite missing eight games overall, the Mavericks have performed well without him, boasting a record of 6-2. The team’s ability to mount a significant comeback during the game against Minnesota demonstrated their resilience, even if it ultimately did not yield a victory.
Kidd expressed confidence in the team’s potential to succeed without Doncic, stating, “I think this is a group that can win. They believe that. And they’ve shown that. The record speaks for itself. But we also need him. He’s just been hit with some injuries here of late. Hopefully this one isn’t that serious. But we do need him if we want to win a championship.”
Irving’s impressive performance included 39 points, while Thompson also contributed with 12 points on four successful 3-point attempts. With his current tally of 2,562 career 3-pointers, Thompson has now edged past Miller’s total of 2,560. In Doncic’s absence, Irving has stepped up his scoring, averaging 24 points per game, although both players missed a recent defeat to the Los Angeles Clippers.
Spencer Dinwiddie, who rejoined the Mavericks this offseason to add depth to the roster, had an off night against the Timberwolves, missing all seven of his attempts and finishing with just two points. With Doncic sidelined, the Mavericks need to regain their rhythm among the supporting cast as they navigate several upcoming games without their star player.
“Just playing selfless basketball,” Thompson noted regarding the team’s need for cohesion during this time. In his first season with Dallas after winning four championships with the Golden State Warriors, he emphasized, “Realize Kyrie’s going to take us home, he’s our closer. But for everybody else on the team, it’s just about getting in good rhythm and trusting one another and playing hard, especially defensively. He’s obviously our best player, but we’ve got to be tested, and this is a good test ahead.”
