Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić exited Wednesday’s 105-99 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves with a left calf injury, raising concerns about his availability moving forward. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania and Tim MacMahon, the Mavericks are “bracing” for Dončić to miss an extended period of time.
The incident occurred in the second quarter of the Christmas Day matchup at the American Airlines Center. Dončić, while making a move at the elbow, suddenly pulled up and passed the ball away. He immediately started limping and appeared visibly distressed as play continued.
Dončić eventually walked off the court under his own power but with a pronounced limp. The Mavericks later ruled him out at halftime with a left calf injury. While specific details remain unclear, this injury may be connected to the calf strain he sustained during the preseason. He will undergo an MRI on Thursday to determine the extent of the damage.
Before exiting, Dončić logged 14 points, five rebounds, and one assist in just 16 minutes, shooting an efficient 5-of-9 from the field and 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. The 25-year-old entered the game averaging 29 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 8.1 assists per game this season, making his potential absence a significant blow to the Mavericks.
Despite Dončić’s departure, Dallas mounted a spirited comeback after falling behind by as much as 26 points in the third quarter. The Mavericks opened the fourth quarter on a 31-11 run, trimming Minnesota’s lead to just one possession in the final minute. However, the Timberwolves held firm, with Anthony Edwards delivering crucial buckets to seal the six-point win.
Edwards led Minnesota with 26 points and eight rebounds, while Rudy Gobert contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds. Julius Randle narrowly missed a triple-double, tallying 23 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. The victory improved the Timberwolves’ record to 15-14.
In Dončić’s absence, Kyrie Irving stepped up for Dallas, scoring a game-high 39 points on 14-of-27 shooting. Klay Thompson added 12 points, all from beyond the arc. The Mavericks, now 14-15, face the Phoenix Suns on Friday to kick off a four-game road trip.
The Mavericks’ hopes for the season may hinge on Dončić’s recovery, leaving fans anxiously awaiting updates following his MRI.