Mavericks’ Luka Dončić Ready for Christmas Day Matchup Against Timberwolves Despite Heel Injury: “I’ll Get Through It”
The Dallas Mavericks are preparing to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day. They’ve released an updated injury report ahead of the high-profile matchup. The Mavericks are entering the game with a few key players managing injuries, but they remain strong after Luka Dončić‘s return helped secure a 132-108 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Dončić’s return against Portland was nothing short of impactful, as he tallied 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists, showcasing his ability to lead the Mavericks despite managing the heel injury that caused him to miss two games.
Reflecting on his performance, Dončić remained modest, saying, “Well, I think mine was okay. Nothing special.”
The Slovenian superstar emphasized the importance of securing the victory as the Mavericks have won 14 of their last 17 games, improving to 19-10 overall. He’s averaging 28.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists in 21 games this season, playing a pivotal role in guiding the team.
“The important thing is that we got the win,” Dončić emphasized. “I think everybody was involved, and that’s how we got to play. I think Portland has a good team. They have players that can score, so it’s a dangerous game, and we had to be locked in.”
Luka Dončić Remains on Injury Report
Dončić’s presence on the injury report as probable indicates he is expected to play, continuing his recovery from a left heel contusion that previously sidelined him for two games.
Dončić confirmed that the injury occurred in the first quarter against Golden State. “Yeah, I think it was the first quarter against Golden State,” Dončić said when asked if he remembered the origin of the injury.
While the heel flared up after the game, Dončić reassured that it feels fine now. “Yeah, I mean, it’s fine. Just trying to get through it. But today it felt fine. After the first quarter, it felt better. Just getting warm. But it’s fine. I’ll get through it.”
Other Dallas Mavericks Injury Updates
Jaden Hardy has been upgraded to questionable as he recovers from a right ankle sprain. He has been progressing well, participating in on-court work since the Mavericks returned from San Francisco.
Danté Exum remains out after right wrist surgery, but there are signs of progress. He no longer wears a brace over his wrist, signaling he is moving closer to a return, though no official timetable has been set.
Before Saturday’s victory against the LA Clippers, head coach Jason Kidd praised what he’s seen from Exum in the recovery process despite being mostly limited to using his left hand.
“He’s out there doing everything left-handed, so he’s working extremely hard. He looks great,” Kidd said. “He’ll probably come back as a left-handed player. Just joking. But he is working. Hopefully, at some point, he’ll start to be able to use the hand that he had surgery on, but he is doing a lot of work on the floor, and he’s trending in the right direction.”
Brandon Williams will miss the game due to a right thumb sprain. Kessler Edwards is unavailable as he continues his assignment in the G League.
Looking Ahead to Christmas Day
The Christmas Day matchup against the Timberwolves marks Dallas’ fifth consecutive appearance in the NBA’s holiday slate. Dončić, who has averaged 36.3 points, 10.3 assists, and 6.3 rebounds in Christmas Day games, expressed his excitement for the opportunity.
“It’s special because I know a lot of people from Europe want to watch the NBA. We play at 1:30 here, so that’s 8:30 back home. It’s a big thing. A lot of people from home watch it, and it’s going to be a special game for me,” Dončić said.
With Dončić likely to play and the Mavericks continuing their strong stretch, the Christmas Day showdown promises to be an exciting contest between two teams jockeying for positioning in the Western Conference standings.
