The Dallas Mavericks are reeling after struggling champion Luke Doncic was ruled out for at least a month.
The five-time NBA star was left on crutches after injuring his left calf in a 105-99 Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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The Slovenian had an MRI scan the next day and the extent of his problem will be re-evaluated in a month.
Dallas is “preying” and there will be no more bad news for the 25-year-old.
Doncic had 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in just 16 minutes at home against the Timberwolves.
But he immediately injured his calf on what appeared to be an innocuous play in the second quarter.
Doncic was in pain when he fell on his left foot after dribbling.
He immediately alerted the Mavericks bench and was in no condition to return to defense.
After the Timberwolves kept scoring. Dallas called a timeout with 2 minutes, 31 seconds left in the first half.
That allowed Doncic to go to the locker room, where medics quickly determined he was unable to return.
He left the Mavericks court on crutches — with his third calf strain in recent years.
Now, at the very least, he will likely miss 15 games.
This rules him out of the running for NBA awards, especially since he missed eight games earlier in the 2024-2025 season due to other injuries.
Doncic is a starter in Dallas, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game this season.
“I'm just praying for Luka to get well soon,” Mavericks co-star Kyrie Irving said.
“No matter how long the timeline is, we'll have to adapt. It's just the nature of the business.
“I hope he takes his time and comes back when he's ready.”
