Luka Doncic Injury Update: Mavericks star's MRI results negative, still no timetable for return

Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks suffered a left thigh strain in Wednesday's game against the New Orleans Pelicans. Doncic underwent an MRI on Thursday with the Mavericks receiving some good news.

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojanarowski, Doncic's MRI results on his left thigh came out negative. While there is still no timetable for his return, the Mavericks superstar could be back once he feels better.

Doncic told reporters on Wednesday that he started feeling something on his left thigh two games after the All-Star break.

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"I think it was the second game after the All-Star break," Doncic said. "Something like that. ... This one, I didn't get hit. So this is kind of weird for me. I don't really know what it is."

Luka Doncic played 28 minutes against the New Orleans Pelicans before exiting the game. Doncic finished with 15 points, three rebounds and eight assists as the Dallas Mavericks lost 113-106.

The Mavericks have now lost three of their past 10 games heading into the most important stretch of the regular season. They have a record of 34-33 and fell to No. 8 in the Western Conference standings.

The West remains competitive and a bad string of results could put Dallas in a tricky situation. The LA Lakers are surging, while the Pelicans, Utah Jazz, OKC Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers are in contention.

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Can the Dallas Mavericks survive with Luka Doncic?

Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks will have to weather Luka Doncic's absence due to a left thigh strain. They will have to rely on Kyrie Irving to carry them until Doncic makes his eventual return. The duo are still figuring out how to play with each other given their 3-6 record of playing together.

But can the Mavericks survive with just Irving as their lone star player? Dallas is undefeated at 2-0 with just Irving in the lineup without Doncic. Irving averages 24.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.0 steals in those two games.

Overall, Irving has been phenomenal with the Mavericks. He's averaging 27.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 1.2 steals in his first 11 games in Dallas. He's also shooting 51.2% from the field and 41.4% from beyond the arc.

It also helps that the Mavericks have the sixth easiest schedule for the remainder of the season. It is an advantage against the Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves, teams that are in the top 10 with the hardest remaining schedule.

However, the New Orleans Pelicans, OKC Thunder and LA Lakers have an easier schedule than the Mavericks. It will be interesting to see if the Mavericks can automatically make it to the playoffs or if they have to be in the play-in tournament.

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