DALLAS — After dropping Luka Doncic to a strained left calf, an damage that sources informed ESPN might sideline the famous person for an prolonged time period, the Dallas Mavericks’ bid for a Christmas miracle comeback fell simply quick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves escaped American Airways Middle with a 105-99 win Wednesday after the Mavs whittled a 28-point second-half deficit to a one-possession margin within the remaining 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 predicted to bear 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. Nevertheless lengthy the timetable is, we will have to regulate. It is 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 whole within the remaining body. Irving tried a pull-up 3-pointer with 36.1 seconds remaining that might have given the Mavs the lead. The shot bounced off the entrance rim and was rebounded by Timberwolves famous person Anthony Edwards, who drove for the dagger layup on the following possession.
“We put ourselves in place. He had have 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 appeared 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 world 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 because of the heel damage for Monday’s house win over the Portland Path Blazers.
“Hopefully, this might be his final [injury],” Kidd mentioned, “and hopefully, it isn’t too critical.”
Doncic has a historical past of accidents to that calf. Most lately, he missed all of this yr’s coaching camp and preseason due to a left calf contusion. That is the third time Doncic has strained the calf lately. He missed the primary three video games of the 2022 playoffs after straining it throughout the regular-season finale and was sidelined for many of the 2023 preseason after straining it throughout a apply in Madrid.
Doncic, a first-team All-NBA choice over the previous 5 seasons, scored 14 factors in 16 minutes in opposition to 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 during which 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 unbelievable win of the season.
It will 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 obtained a few buckets on drives within the remaining 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, reside and die with what occurs.”