Mavericks' Luka Dončić Returns After Two-Game Absence Caused By Heel Injury
Luka Dončić returns for the Mavericks against the Trail Blazers after missing two games. Dallas has made due with a 6-2 record in his absence this season.
DALLAS — Luka Dončić will return to the lineup for the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the previous two games with a left heel contusion.
Dončić previously returned from an injury against the Trail Blazers this season, recording 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 13 assists on December 1. While Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd would understand the Slovenian superstar dealing with “some rust” in his first game back, Dončić has defied traditional logic in return games.
"He missed some games and did pretty well,” Kidd said. “If we can get that game from him, that’d be great. He’s been out, so we can probably expect some rust, but we’re just happy to have him back in the lineup."
Dončić sustained the injury during the Mavericks' road win over the Golden State Warriors, where he delivered a dominant performance with 45 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists. Over 20 games this season, Dončić is posting averages of 28.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.
The Mavericks split their recent two-game series with the LA Clippers, bouncing back from a loss with Kyrie Irving's return and contributions from eight players scoring in double figures during Saturday's victory.
“We always adopt a next-man-up mindset. Whether it's injuries or illness, we stay ready,” said Mavericks center Dereck Lively II. “Everyone's prepared to step in and deliver. We trust each other and keep our confidence high.”
The Mavericks have gotten by in Dončić’s absence, going 6-2 without him this season. This is a stark improvement from past seasons when games without Dončić felt like uphill battles. The team's collective effort allows Dončić to recover without feeling pressured to rush back.
“Luka knows he doesn’t have to shoulder everything alone,” Lively said. “He can take the time he needs to heal, knowing we've got things covered. We don't want him to push through unnecessary wear and tear.”
Lively believes the Mavericks' aggressive approach remains constant regardless of who is available, helping the team maintain its competitive edge even when Dončić sits out.
“We keep the same energy and focus, no matter who's playing,” Lively said. “If we catch ourselves being passive, we remind each other to stay aggressive, attack the basket, take shots, and keep the ball moving.”
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