Doncic is out injured for the time being – Mavs “optimistic” about playing at the start of the season
As head coach Jason Kidd confirmed on the sidelines of the Mavs’ practice on Monday, Doncic has suffered a “mild” strain in his left calf. The 24-year-old cannot currently train with the team, but instead keeps fit on a stationary bike and with throwing exercises.
Does he be available for the Mavericks’ final preseason game
He will definitely not be available for the Mavericks’ final preseason game on Saturday night against Detroit. He will be examined again at the end of the week, and Kidd expressed his hope that Doncic can be back at the start of the season. The well-connected journalist Marc Stein also reported that the Mavs are “optimistic” that Doncic will be fit in time. Dallas opens its season next week on Thursday night with a game against the San Antonio Spurs.
The Slovenian sustained the injury in Spain, where the Mavericks played a preseason game against Real Madrid ( 123:127 ). Doncic was only on the floor for less than five minutes against his former team because he had suffered the strain in training the day before. An MRI scan after returning to Dallas confirmed the diagnosis.
Irving back in training
Doncic himself described the injury as “nothing serious”, but he had also struggled with a strain in his calf in the past. He suffered this injury once towards the end of the 2021/22 regular season, after which he had to take a twelve-day break and missed several play-off games.
Kidd had better news regarding Kyrie Irving. Doncic’s backcourt partner, who missed the last two games due to a groin injury, was able to return to full practice on Monday. “He was good,” Kidd said. “We’ll see how he feels tomorrow and then we’ll see.”
