The Dallas Mavericks will return home for Game 3 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, achieving an important split in the first two contests to set up a chance to take a commanding lead in the series at home. Star point guard Luka Doncic has battled through knee and ankle pain in this matchup and popped up on the injury report ahead of Saturday afternoon’s game. Here’s the latest on his status.
Luka Doncic injury updates
Update: Doncic is available to play in Game 3.
Update: According to ESPN’s Tim McMahon, Doncic is expected to play. We’ll see how much his injury limits him but he will give things a go for Game 3.
All indications are that Luka Doncic will be available for today’s Game 3. As he said last series, he’s always going to try to go in the playoffs. The question is how much his sprained knee and sore ankle affect the Mavs star. https://t.co/oClILbk7Jw
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) May 11, 2024
Doncic has officially been listed as questionable with both knee and ankle soreness. His knee problem has been lingering since the Clippers series, although he has not missed any time and was listed as probable on the injury report ahead of the last two games against the Thunder. Doncic appeared to tweak his ankle late in Game 2 against Oklahoma City but ultimately played through the issue. I would expect him to be able to suit up for this game.
In the event Doncic is unable to play, Kyrie Irving will take over as the lead guard. Tim Hardaway Jr., Josh Green and Dante Exum will all be given some additional minutes in the backcourt, while P.J. Washington likely becomes the second offensive option behind Irving.