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April 23 update: Doncic is available for Game 4, and is expected to play limited minutes against the Jazz. The Mavericks are up 2-1 in this series, which helps the team ease Doncic into the rotation without the pressure of needing him for heavy minutes.
April 22 update: Doncic is officially listed as questionable for Game 4, but all reports suggest he is progressing towards returning the court in this contest. The Mavericks have reclaimed homecourt advantage and now lead 2-1, so Doncic’s teammates have done an admirable job holding the fort down with him on the sidelines.
April 21 update: Doncic’s return will have to wait until at least Game 4, as he is out for Game 3 Thursday. With the Mavericks taking a game at home, there is little urgency to rush Doncic back until he’s completely ready. It looks like Game 4 will mark his return to the court.
April 20 update: Doncic is officially considered questionable by the Mavericks, and will be a game-time decision ahead of Game 3 Thursday. The series is tied 1-1, so the Mavericks don’t need to rush Doncic back in the event he’s not ready to take the floor.
April 19 update: The Mavericks are optimistic about Doncic returning at some point during the team’s two games in Utah, per Shams Charania. It’ll still come down to how the guard feels during workouts but it looks like the Mavericks will get Doncic back at some point on the road.
Sources: There’s optimism Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will return for Game 3 (Thursday) or Game 4 (Saturday) vs. Jazz. The calf strain that Doncic suffered on April 10 is improving and workouts over next two days could determine comeback timing.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 19, 2022
April 18 update: Doncic is out for Game 2 against the Jazz. He’ll attempt to be ready to go in Game 3 when the series shifts to Salt Lake City.
April 17 update: Doncic is unlikely to play in Game 2, according to Adrian Wojnarowski and Tim MacMahon. He’s not officially ruled out but the Mavericks appear unlikely to risk Doncic’s long-term status for Game 2.
Luka Doncic is unlikely for Game 2 vs. Utah on Monday, sources tell @espn_macmahon and me. He hasn't yet been ruled out, but would have to make dramatic improvement in the next 24 hours to be cleared to play with that left calf strain. https://t.co/G32VoqCnMY
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 17, 2022
The Dallas Mavericks have formally ruled Luka Doncic out for Saturday’s game against the Utah Jazz. The guard came down with a calf strain in the regular season finale, putting him out indefinitely. While the Mavericks haven’t ruled him out for the series, this is not a good start for the team entering the 2022 playoffs.
Dallas Mavericks All-Star Luka Doncic (calf strain) will be out for Game 1 vs. Utah on Saturday and significant concern remains for his availability Monday in Game 2, sources tell ESPN. Mavs will play long game w/ injury and take it day-by-day after playing without him Saturday.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) April 15, 2022
This is obviously a huge blow for Dallas, as Doncic was an all-around star for the team. He was carrying this unit offensively and now the Mavericks have to find other sources of scoring. Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson are the most likely to take on bigger roles offensively, while Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock become important shooters on the perimeter now.
The Jazz were listed as 5-point favorites per DraftKings Sportsbook but will likely see some movement with Doncic being ruled out. We’ll see who steps up for Dallas with the star guard sidelined.