Luka Dončić is out with a wrist sprain as the Mavericks face a three-game road trip. Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson step up to lead Dallas in his absence.
DALLAS — After improving to 8-7 using a 132-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night, the Dallas Mavericks appeared to be getting nearly fully healthy. Luka Dončić returned from a one-game injury absence caused by a right knee contusion and racked up 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
However, the Mavericks announced that an MRI confirmed Dončić sustained a right wrist sprain and will be re-evaluated in a week. This will sideline him for the team’s three-game road trip that begins in Denver on Friday.
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Dončić Diagnosed with Wrist Sprain, Out for Road Trip
Dončić had his wrist wrapped up when speaking to reporters after Tuesday’s game but downplayed the severity of a possible injury at the time. “I started feeling it in the first quarter, but then it just got worse, but nothing serious,” he said.
After Thursday’s practice, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd confirmed that Dončić will be sidelined for at least Friday’s game in Denver and will be re-evaluated in one week. Kidd also mentioned that Danté Exum, still recovering from wrist surgery, will be out but did not mention any other players on the injury report.
“Injuries are a part of sport, and unfortunately, he’s had a couple of here early,” Kidd said about Dončić. “Hopefully, that means he won’t have any going forward. After this last one, hopefully, he’s clean for the rest of the way.”
Kyrie Irving Steps Into Pivotal Role
In 360 possessions (excluding garbage time) without Dončić this season, the Mavericks have a +0.6 differential. The number is the same in the 306 possessions when Irving has been on the court without his superstar teammate.
When Dončić is not on the court, opposing teams often increase defensive pressure on Irving, attempting to disrupt the Mavericks’ offensive flow. However, Irving has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate these challenges, as shown in his 8-4 record without Dončić during his time in Dallas. His performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday ended with 23 points and 6 assists, with seven players scoring in double figures in that 121-119 victory.
“Pretty much just the same mindset. Next man up. Just be ready to guard the best man or just have the best man guard you,” Daniel Gafford said. “It’s going to be a lot on Kai. It’s going to be a lot on Klay, but I feel like we’ve done a pretty good job whenever Luka has been off the floor… The strategy is still the same.”
In 12 games as a Maverick without Dončić, Irving has averaged 29.4 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.0 rebounds, showcasing his ability to carry the team. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd highlighted Irving’s composure and ability to properly read the situation, be aggressive as a scorer, and create favorable shots for teammates. Irving’s speed enables him to beat blitzes, while his off-ball versatility allows him to find advantageous scoring opportunities.
“Kyrie’s patience is key, whether he’s double-teamed or not,” Kidd explained. “We understand that patience. He knows when to involve his teammates and when to take the shot himself. His ability to read those situations and respond appropriately makes him crucial, especially when Luka is out. He’ll be ready for this challenge.”
Mavericks’ Approach Without Dončić
However, while Irving is a dynamic offensive threat that will set the tone, more impact from the supporting cast emblematic of their victory against the Thunder will be needed. Beyond just Klay Thompson taking more shots, a balanced impact will be necessary to take pressure off Irving. Against Oklahoma City, P.J. Washington was the leading scorer with 27 points and added a career-high 17 rebounds while being featured more in the post. Other players attacked downhill often, including Naji Marshall, while Quentin Grimes and Jaden Hardy did a combination of both while knocking down some perimeter jumpers.
Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford made a strong impact in the paint as play finishers, while both players have shown they can make an impact in the post. For a Nuggets squad that could be without Nikola Jokić again for a fourth consecutive game due to personal reasons, the production at the center position could be a real advantage in this particular matchup, but it is necessary each night on both ends.
“We gotta be a little bit near perfect when it comes to the offense, but honestly, just staying the same as when he’s here,” Gafford said. “Taking care of business, getting good pace, getting into our offensive sets & making sure the right guys have the ball in their hands.”
A few perimeter players are strong candidates to shoulder more responsibility when Dončić is sidelined. Kidd mentioned Grimes and Hardy are expected to “pick up the slack” without Dončić. The team is confident that each player will get the job done at a high level in an expanded role.
“Just their aggressiveness and just the patience that they have when it comes to just different things that different teams throw at us defensively, so down the stretch, we find ways to make plays without a guy coming off the ball,” Gafford said.
The Mavericks will have to navigate a three-game road trip without Dončić when they face the Nuggets on Friday. They will then play back-to-back games, beginning with a matchup against the Miami Heat on Sunday and then facing the Atlanta Hawks.
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