Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić is currently managing a right wrist strain, which will be re-evaluated in one week, as reported by Moneyline's Shams Charania. The nature of the injury has led to uncertainty regarding the duration of his absence, with Charania noting that Dončić is expected to miss some time.
Most recently, Dončić was unavailable for the Mavericks' narrow 121-119 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on November 17, due to a right knee contusion. This minor setback adds to what has been a challenging season for the Mavericks, currently holding an 8-7 record. The team experienced a four-game losing streak in November, with those losses collectively decided by a mere eight points. This aspect highlights the Mavericks' struggle with late-game fortune despite being one of the top-performing clutch teams in the 2023-24 season.
Statistically, Dončić has been performing commendably, averaging 28.1 points on 43.5 percent shooting alongside 7.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists. While these figures are impressive and would be remarkable for many players, they fall short of the standards set by the 25-year-old in previous campaigns. For the Mavericks to have a legitimate chance at contending for a championship, Dončić's performance will be critical, ideally at an MVP-caliber level. Although the recent victory against the Thunder illustrates that Dallas can rally in his absence—highlighted by P.J. Washington's team-high 27 points and 17 rebounds, along with Kyrie Irving's contributions of 23 points and six assists—the need for Dončić’s presence on the court becomes increasingly essential as the season progresses. An extended absence could jeopardize Dallas' positioning in the playoff race.
