Despite calling his ankle sprain “not that bad”, Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is doubtful to be ready for Game 4 on Aug. 23.
With the quick turnaround playing every other day (a late Friday night game to a Sunday afternoon game), there’s hardly any recovery time for an injury, decreasing the odds that Doncic will be available for the next game.
However, early, pre-MRI indications are that it’s a mild sprain, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.
Head coach Rick Carlisle didn’t think Doncic’s injury got worse after he came back into Game 3.
“He didn’t further injure it,” Carlisle said. “He just wasn’t able to move the way you’ve got to be able to move in a playoff game.”
If Doncic can’t play, Seth Curry or Trey Burke will get the start and both of those players will be relied upon even more alongside Kristaps Porzingis.
The Mavericks obviously need their 21-year-old superstar healthy to have a chance against Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers.
