The left ankle injury Luka Doncic suffered in Thursday's win looms large over the Mavs going forward.
Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic, who was injured in Thursday’s win against the Phoenix Suns, is reportedly day-to-day with a left ankle injury. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Doncic has a “mild sprain” that came after he stepped on a Suns defender’s foot in the first quarter of that game.
After hurting his left ankle in victory over Suns on Thursday, Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic is expected to be day-to-day with what's described as a "mild sprain," sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2023
Doncic was trying to make a move close to the basket against the Suns’ Cameron Johnson, but stepped on Mikal Bridges’ foot before passing the ball and limping away. Mavs coach Jason Kidd called for a timeout and the 6-foot-7 guard slowly made his way to the locker room.
Doncic, an All-Star starter, left the game and the team later announced he would not return to play due to a left ankle sprain. X-rays were negative.
Luka Doncic sprains left ankle in 1st quarter against the Phoenix Suns.
Kidd said Doncic was in “good spirits” after the game.
“He looked good, he looked fine,” Kidd said. “But we’ll see how he feels as we go forward.”
Spencer Dinwiddie responded to the Mavs’ adversity with a season-high 36 points, Dorian Finney-Smith added 18 points and 12 rebounds, and the Mavs held on for a 99-95 victory.
Luka Dončić (left ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s game in Phoenix.
— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) January 27, 2023
Doncic, the architect of the 64-win Suns’ demise in Game 7 of the 2022 Western Conference semifinals, currently leads the league in scoring at 33.8 points per game. The 23-year-old Slovenian entered the game having just been announced as a Western Conference starter for the 2023 All-Star Game, his third career start and fourth All-Star honor.
The Mavericks, already without big men Christian Wood and Maxi Kleber, came into Thursday’s game tied with Phoenix for sixth place, the last guaranteed playoff spot since the league introduced The Play-In Tournament for teams finishing seventh through 10th.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
