Is Luka Doncic Playing Tonight? Mavs Injury Report, Depth Chart Before Crucial NBA Finals Game 3 vs Celtics

The Boston Celtics are comfortably leading the NBA Finals 2-0 as they get ready to visit the American Airlines Center at 8:30 PM ET tonight. Battling injuries and opponents throughout the postseason, Luka Doncic shocked everyone as he led the team to a Finals slot. However, the Mavs fans had to be disappointed as Dallas fell short in front of a team looking to get that ring at any cost.

Not to mention, their franchise superstar’s injury list was growing. From left ankle soreness, a right knee sprain, and the latest, a thoracic contusion, Doncic has been suffering. As Dallas is at a crucial juncture with the Game 3, let’s take a look at the injury report.

“Official injury designations for Game 3: Dallas lists Luka Doncic as probable (thoracic contusion). Boston lists Kristaps Porzingis as questionable (left posterior tibialis dislocation).”

You don’t need us to tell you that the Mavericks do need this win. Teams in the postseason up 3-0 always end up winning. Even if Game 5 or 7 is forced, the first team to reach 3 wins takes it all. However, in league history, only five teams have been able to win the Finals series after being down two. They were the 2021 Milwaukee Bucks, 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers, 2006 Miami Heat, 1977 Portland Trail Blazers, and 1969 Boston Celtics.

So, no pressure! Aside from the Mavericks, the ‘Beantown’ has Kristaps Porziņģis on the injury report. The Cs’ big man is another guy who has had a similar run-in with injuries as Doncic. Unlike KP, Luka was never sidelined. He had left the court for a quarter or two but came back and delivered a phenomenal performance that put his team back in the game.

Unfortunately, Boston is not like their former opponents. And they do have more than enough players who can step up at any given time or a moment’s notice. What about Dallas, though?

Luka Doncic and Co. get a unique suggestion for a third star as we take a look at the Mavs depth chart

The Mavs alum and current head coach, Jason Kidd, tried to shake the chemistry of Boston’s superstar duo, hoping it would help his team. Kidd said that Jaylen Brown was the best player of the Celtics and he was the one they had to look out for. Clearly, that dig at Jayson Tatum bounced off harmlessly over the Jays’ heads. JT responded that it wasn’t their “first rodeo” while Brown said that their focus was on winning a championship. Anything outside of it was of no importance.

And Jason was back to where he began. He will have to look for other ways to win the game if they plan on making a trip back to TD Garden. The Mavs, for their part, were struggling with getting their offense going, as Luka was the only one making shots. It became painfully obvious that some daring changes were imperative.

And veteran ESPN commentator Michael Wilbon has just the solution. Bring in Tim Hardaway Jr. “Dallas needs somebody else. Luka can’t be himself physically, not the way this game is starting. I’m gonna nominate somebody: Tim Hardaway Jr., a veteran player who’s been in big games,” the 65-year-old had said prior to the Game 2 tip-off.

The 32-year-old forward has been a steady presence for Dallas over the past six years. However, the Mavs veteran’s defensive liability has the team holding back from having him on the floor for a longer duration. But Wilbon’s suggestion does deserve some credit. For one, he has more playoff experience than Luka Doncic and has proved to stay level-headed in high-pressure situations.

Not to mention, his regular season stats are pretty impressive too. Hardaway tallied an average of 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game on 40.2% from the field and 35.3% from downtown in 79 games. The last he played 79 or more was in his rookie season with the Knicks (81) and in the 2016-17 season with Atlanta (79). Considering Kidd and his squad are close to a do-or-die situation, it wouldn’t be too much to let Hardaway get hot.

That said, let’s check the depth chart of the Dallas Mavericks.

But before you go, be sure to check this video of Leonardo Armato’s take on Caitlin Clark vs Angel Reese.

Don’t forget to check back in for more such updates from our ES Fancast!