Luka Dončić Re-Evaluated Amid Left Calf Strain Recovery, On Track for February Return Before All-Star Break
As Luka Dončić recovers from a calf strain, the Dallas Mavericks could see his return during their early February homestand.
Before the Dallas Mavericks tip-off against the Boston Celtics, many eagerly awaited updates about Luka Dončić being re-evaluated as he recovers from a left calf strain. Head coach Jason Kidd told reporters, “No updates” when asked about any developments regarding Dončić’s recovery.
As DallasHoopsJournal.com previously reported, Dončić is on track to return to the lineup before the All-Star break in February. Releasing an exact target date this far tends to lead to external scrutiny since, with any injury, the day-to-day element can change based on how someone’s body responds during the process.
However, sources indicated to DallasHoopsJournal.com that, barring Dončić any unexpected progression or setback, the start of the Mavericks’ four-game homestand is considered a goal. This stretch begins against the Houston Rockets on Feb. 8, followed by matchups against the Sacramento Kings (Feb. 10), Golden State Warriors (Feb. 12), and Miami Heat (Feb. 13).
As one might expect, Dončić is eager to get back into competition. It didn’t take long to begin spot shooting without jumping early in his recovery process. He even carried this into his time observing the Mavericks from the sidelines during home games. Before the end of a few halftimes, he’s shot the ball before retaking a seat.
The Mavericks got by early when having to overcome shorter absences when Dončić dealt with other injuries, but it’s been a challenge to find consistent success recently. Dallas has gone 11-12 without Dončić this season, but precisely 5-10 since Christmas Da,y as other injuries have continued to pile up.
The looming return of Dončić has only added to the presently available roster that’s continuing to compete to keep the Mavericks’ record afloat. Spencer Dinwiddie compared regaining Dončić to being the best trade deadline acquisition imaginable while already having confidence in the team’s track record of pulling off strong stretch-run performances before the playoffs in this era.
“Obviously, we always talk about the next man up, but it’s almost just holding down the fort,” Dinwiddie said. “It’s insane. You can make a starting lineup out of the injury report alone. That’s tough, but that’s part of the season that we are having.”
“As long as we stay in striking distance,” Dinwiddie added. “The best trade deadline acquisition anybody could have—[getting] the MVP back, right? […]. We typically take off after the trade deadline, right? We always add somebody. At least in the successful years, I guess so, [I’m] looking forward to that.”
The Mavericks tip off against the Celtics at 4:30 p.m. CT.
