All-Star Luka Doncic may not be ready for Game 1 of the Mavericks’ series against the Jazz
Doncic suffered a left strain calf injury with 2:35 left in the third quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during the final game of the regular season. Heading into that contest, Dallas was looking to move up to the third position in the West, though that hinged on the Golden State Warriors’ matchup. With the Warriors going up on the New Orleans Pelicans at halftime, perhaps the Mavs should have pulled Doncic and the rest of the starters out of the game to prepare for the playoffs. Hindsight is 20/20.
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Following the game, Mavs coach Jason Kidd shared, “The plan was to play Luka Doncic and other starters for the entire third quarter tonight leading into a minimum five-day layoff before Game 1 of the playoffs,” according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.
NBA Trainers Weigh In On Doncic’s Injury
Also, after the game, FortyEightMinutes spoke with former Los Angeles Lakers physician Marco Nunez about Doncic’s injury, in which he shared, “It looks like it’s something with his left leg; when he jumps, he favors the left leg and doesn’t land on it instead he chooses to land on the right leg.’
“Based on the video, as he walks to the sideline, you can see that he limits his left leg’s plantar flexion (heel comes up) compared to the right leg. The Gastroc Muscle (calf muscle) is primarily responsible for that action. He seems to avoid that too & favors the right calf,” Nunez added. “Depending on the severity of the strain, he can be out as little as 7 days or up to 6 weeks.”
FortyEightMinutes also spoke with Dr. Randy Chan, PT, DPT to get his opinion on the Mavs’guard injury.
“It’s hard to tell because he goes out of the screen when it’s zoomed in. Looks like he grabs his L knee, but his injury happens when he was in a position where Achilles ruptures occur. On the other hand, it could be a Soleus injury vs. Gastrocnemius injury due to his knee being bent when he pushes off with the left foot,” said Dr. Chan.
“When you stretch your calf muscle (more specifically the gastrocnemius muscle), your knee is straight. When you stretch your Soleus muscle (still a calf muscle), you bend your knee slightly. Injury location (in the muscle belly or closer to the tendon) & severity will determine how long he’s out for.”
Earlier this week, ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported that the MRI confirmed Doncic had sustained a sprain left calf injury and there was no timetable for his return.
When Jason Kidd addressed the media after practice on Tuesday afternoon, he shared, “Nothing has changed it’s a calf injury. He’s in good spirits will see how he feels tomorrow. We will be preparing with or without him & we will be taking precautions.”
While Kidd didn’t give too much of an update sharing on Wednesday afternoon, Luka was, “In good spirits,” riding a stationary bike, according to Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News.
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