Luka Dončić returns to the Mavericks lineup against the Pelicans in an NBA Cup matchup, ready to lead Dallas against a depleted New Orleans squad.
DALLAS — Luka Dončić has been cleared to play in the Dallas Mavericks’ Tuesday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans, which significantly boosts the team in this NBA Cup matchup. Dončić had been listed as questionable due to a right knee contusion sustained during Saturday’s victory over the San Antonio Spurs.
After being sidelined for Sunday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on the second night of a back-to-back, Dončić participated in the team’s shootaround on Tuesday morning. His availability was confirmed before he took the court for his typical pre-game workout.
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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. However, his shooting efficiency hasn’t been to his usual standard at 42.8% from the field and 32.0% from beyond the arc.
Dončić felt “a little bit less” than 100% when asked about his health after Saturday’s game but expressed confidence in his recovery. “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,” he said.
The Mavericks’ injury report now includes only Danté Exum (right wrist surgery), as Dončić’s clearance signals a return to near-full strength for the team. Head coach Jason Kidd had previously expressed optimism about Dončić’s recovery, which has now materialized ahead of this important matchup.
The Pelicans are significantly shorthanded, with Zion Williamson, C.J. McCollum, Herbert Jones, Jose Alvarado, and Jordan Hawkins all sidelined due to various injuries. This makes Dončić’s return even more impactful as the Mavericks aim to capitalize on their opponent’s depleted roster.
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