Mavericks’ Luka Doncic leaves loss to Wolves due to calf strain

DALLAS – Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic left the team’s Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the second quarter with a left calf strain.

Doncic was ruled out for the rest of the game at halftime, and the Mavs went on to lose 105–99.

Doncic, who recently missed two games with a left heel contusion, grimaced in pain as he planted that foot after recording his dribble. He immediately looked toward the Mavs’ bench and indicated he was hurt.

Doncic was unable to get back on defense on the ensuing possession and hobbled straight to the locker room to be evaluated after Dallas called a timeout with 2:31 left in the half.

Doncic scored 14 points in 16 minutes against Minnesota. He entered the game averaging 28.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game.

Doncic has a history of injuries to that calf. Most recently, he missed the entire year’s training camp and preseason due to a left calf contusion. This is the third time that Doncic has strained the calf in recent years. He missed the first three games of the 2022 playoffs after straining it during the regular-season finale and was sidelined for most of the preseason last year after straining it during a practice in Madrid.

Doncic, a first-team All-NBA selection the past five seasons, has already missed eight games this season.