Is Luka Doncic playing tonight against Warriors? Latest injury update on Mavericks’ star ahead of matchup (22nd March 2023)
Luka Doncic’s status for the Dallas Mavericks remains iffy for the sixth straight game. He is dealing with a left thigh strain and has already missed the Mavs’ last five games.
Doncic was upgraded to questionable last Monday as the Mavericks headed into a matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies. He was hoping to be back on the floor to help his teammates. After the morning shootaround, the doctors still didn’t clear him to play.
Luka Doncic (thigh) questionable for Wednesday.
“Luka Legend,” however, has been a full participant in the Dallas Mavericks’ last two practices. He might finally be able to rejoin the team given his progress. Doncic may have been ready and able to play against the Grizzlies but the Mavericks chose to be extra careful with him.
With a 36-36 record and desperately trying to stay within play-in contention, the Mavericks may bring back Luka Doncic tonight.
What is Luka Doncic’s status tonight against the Golden State Warriors?
Luka Doncic has been officially ruled questionable by the Dallas Mavericks as questionable for tonight’s game against the Golden State Warriors. He hasn’t played a game since March 9 in the Mavericks’ 113-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
The four-time NBA All-Star’s left thigh was heavily wrapped during the game and hobbled. In a post-match conference, he told the media that the injury didn’t look good as he could hardly “push off.”
Mavericks' Luka Doncic says his quad injury is "not good" and that he will get an MRI on it tomorrow.
Doncic says it's been challenging to push off of the leg and that he's felt it since the second game after the NBA All-Star Break. https://t.co/KoMOkIk8Kd
Jason Kidd told the media during the same conference that Doncic would be considered day-to-day. Dallas is 2-3 in his five-game absence. If they had not dodged a bullet against the Lakers, there was a big chance the Mavericks would have brought Doncic back against the Grizzlies.
When will Luka Doncic return?
If he is still sidelined tonight despite being a participant in the Dallas Mavericks’ practices, he could return on March 24 against the Charlotte Hornets. The marquee matchup against the Golden State Warriors, however, may just be the kind of game where Luka Doncic’s impact will be heavily needed.
The Mavericks could also take advantage of the road-weary Warriors’ terrible performances outside of Chase Center. Golden State recently snapped an 11-game road losing streak but still struggled to do so against the Houston Rockets.
Every game is nearly a must-win situation for the Dallas Mavericks. They are 8th in the Western Conference but are just a game ahead of the 11th-place LA Lakers (35-37).
Kyrie Irving, who has played in the last two games, remains questionable as he is dealing with a sore right foot. If “Uncle Drew” isn’t going to be available, Luka Doncic’s presence will be even more crucial for the Dallas Mavericks.
Dallas’ last 10 games could make or break their playoff aspirations. It’ll be a shame not to see Doncic suit up during this season-deciding stretch of games.