Mavericks guard Luka Doncic could miss his second consecutive game Monday against the Utah Jazz with a left toe sprain. Doncic sat out Saturday’s contest, a 114-113 victory over Sacramento, because of the ailment as well.
Currently averaging 27.8pts/9.2reb/8.8ast for the year, the 23 year old was enjoying one of his more productive stretches of the season prior to the injury. Doncic previously missed a 3 week stretch due to a right ankle sprain, during which the Mavericks struggled in his absence.
When Luka is in the Mavs’ lineup, the team sports a 31-16 record. However when the reigning Western Conference player of the month for February has been sidelined, they’re only 6-9. Since returning from his earlier injury, Dallas is 22-7 and currently sit in 5th place in the West.
Only one game back of the Jazz for 4th place, Dallas hopes to leapfrog Utah down the stretch to secure home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. In his last 8 games, Doncic averaged 36.1pts helping propel the Mavs to a 6-2 record.
Team officials don’t believe his toe injury will be a lingering issue, as the team has opted not to shut him down, but rather have him listed as a “gametime decision” for Monday night’s pivotal showdown against Utah. Doncic currently sports the 7th best odds at many sportsbooks to take home league MVP behind Embiid, Jokic, Giannis, Curry, Morant, and DeRozan.
With 18 games remaining in the regular season, the Mavs are entering a pivotal stretch of their schedule. Should the Slovenian superstar be unable to suit up Monday night, expect a combination of Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie to handle primary guard duties for Dallas.
The Mavericks play host to the Jazz Monday night at 8:30pm ET.