Mavericks coach Jason Kidd shares honest feelings on Luka Doncic’s disqualification from regular-season NBA awards
Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd addressed Luka Doncic's ineligibility for NBA awards due to his ongoing calf injury. Doncic has missed nine consecutive games, bringing his total absences this season to 17, which prevents him from meeting the league's 65-game requirement for postseason honors.
Kidd spoke to the media on Sunday before the Mavericks faced the Denver Nuggets.
“Unfortunately he’s not eligible to win the MVP, but it’s a team sport and understanding that we need him back to win the championship and so understanding that the individual awards will come, but we’re playing to win a championship and hopefully we can get him back soon,” Kidd said.
Doncic suffered a calf injury in the Christmas Day Game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He was expected to be re-evaluated after one month.
The Mavericks have gone 3-5 in eight games without Doncic. He is averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game. Additionally, he is shooting 46.4% from the field and 35.4% from the 3-point line.
Mavericks star Kyrie Irving also missed Sunday's game against the Nuggets due to a lumbar back sprain.
What's next for the Dallas Mavericks and Luka Doncic?
Luka Doncic's performance last season was one of the factors behind the Dallas Mavericks' run to the NBA Finals. This season was supposed to be the organization building on the successes of last season, but injuries to key players in the team have derailed their momentum.
They also have Kyrie Irving out injured after tests revealed a bulging disc in his back. All adds to the pressure on the team to equal last season's impressive run.
The Mavs are fifth on the Western Conference standings with a 22-16 record. They are on a two-game winning run and play the Nuggets in back-to-back games.