Luka Dončić Participates in Mavericks Shootaround, Injury Status Against Pelicans
Luka Dončić participated in shootaround but remains questionable for Mavericks vs. Pelicans. Stay updated on his status ahead of tonight’s game.
DALLAS — Luka Dončić’s availability for the Dallas Mavericks’ Tuesday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans remains in question, but there is some encouraging news as further updates await closer to tipoff.
Dončić participated in the team’s shootaround on Tuesday morning, signaling progress as he recovers from a right knee contusion sustained during Saturday’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
Dončić missed Sunday’s win over the Oklahoma City Thunder and was listed as questionable on Monday’s injury report. His presence at the shootaround is a positive sign, though no final decision has been made. The Mavericks will likely evaluate him further during pre-game warmups before determining his availability.
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Dončić’s performance this season has been integral to Dallas’ success. Over 12 games, he’s averaged 29.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 8.0 assists, though his shooting efficiency—42.8% from the field and 32.0% from beyond the arc—has been slightly below his career norms.
Dončić felt “a little bit less” than 100% when asked about his current health status after Saturday’s game. However, he is confident it’ll improve, saying, “I mean, it’s probably a matter of time, just, there’s not a lot of time to rest, but I’ll get better. I promise.”
The Mavericks have recently benefited from a lighter injury report, with only Dončić and Danté Exum (right wrist surgery) currently listed. Head coach Jason Kidd expressed optimism about Dončić’s recovery ahead of Sunday’s game, but the final call will hinge on how he responds during the lead-up to tipoff.
Considering this is an NBA Cup game, the league would surely like to see Dončić play, but the Pelicans are a depleted group due to injuries. Zion Williamson (hamstring), C.J. McCollum (adductor), Herbert Jones (shoulder ), Dejounte Murray (hand), Jose Alvarado (hamstring), and Jordan Hawkins (back) are all out for New Orleans. Perhaps Dallas could compete without Dončić, giving him more recovery time, with the next game not until Friday against the Denver Nuggets.
Stay tuned for updates regarding Dončić’s status as the Mavericks prepare for a matchup against the Pelicans.
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