NBA rumors: Mavs’ Luka Dončić expected to ‘miss time’ with wrist injury | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić is dealing with a right wrist sprain and will be re-evaluated in a week, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Charania initially reported that Dončić is “expected to miss time”, the extent of which was unclear.

The five-time All-Star was most recently sidelined for Dallas’ 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 17 due to a right knee contusion.

The minor injury added to a frustrating season for the 8-7 Mavericks and their best player.

Dallas went on a four-game losing streak in November, and those four losses were by a combined eight points. It encapsulates how the Mavs, one of the best clutch team in 2023-24, may not have Lady Luck on their side this year.

Dončić also performed up to his usual standards. He is averaging 28.1 points on 43.5 percent shooting along with 7.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists.

Those are incredible numbers for almost any other player, but slightly below what the 25-year-old has produced in recent seasons. And ultimately, the Mavericks likely need him to perform at an MVP-type level to have a serious shot at a championship.

Beating the Thunder without Dončić showed that Dallas can survive on any given night without him. PJ Washington stepped up and had a team-high 27 points and 17 rebounds on that occasion, while Kyrie Irving chipped in with 23 points and six assists.

But there’s no question the Mavs will need Dončić on the court as they enter a more crucial time in the season. A longer absence now also risks Dallas giving up valuable ground in the playoffs.