Phoenix – Luka Doncic Mavericks left Thursday night win over the Phoenix Suns After suffering a sprain in his left ankle.
He did not return to play or to the bench in Dallas.
Coach Jason Kidd said Doncic “was in good spirits” after the win but gave no details on the 23-year-old’s condition ahead of Saturday’s game against the Jazz.
“It looked good. It looked good,” Kidd said, “but we’ll see as we go here. We’ll likely have more information once we get to Utah.”
Kidd said he spoke with Doncic at halftime and accepted his post-match press conference.
“He was smiling, he was happy for his teammates,” Kidd said, “saying DP made some great free throws but then created that missed free throw rebound. Just his grit tonight for DP was on a high level. The character of this team played really hard.” And I found a way to win.”
Luka Doncic (left ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s game in Phoenix, IN @employee.
– CallieCaplan (@CallieCaplan) January 27, 2023
Less than four minutes into the game, the 23-year-old star began limping after pivoting at the post and stepping on the foot of a Suns defender. Although Doncic did not fall to the ground, he immediately grabbed his left ankle and returned to defense. Coach Jason Kidd called time out when the Mavericks regained possession.
Director of Player Health and Performance Casey Smith met Doncic on the field when play stopped and walked him straight to the locker room.
Doncic hasn’t missed a game due to injury this season, making just five of the Mavericks’ first 50 games, all in order to rest and recover from a minor illness on the second night from back-to-back.
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