Mavs Injury Report: Is Luka Doncic Playing Tonight vs Suns? Availability Update on 5x All-Star

Dallas Mavericks player Luka Doncic entered the ongoing NBA season in high spirits and managed to lead his team toward achieving a commendable performance. Despite suffering a left quad injury and a right ankle injury before the All-Star Weekend, the 24-year-old has managed to maintain his minutes.

The upcoming game against the Phoenix Suns is a crucial one for his team since it will determine who will emerge as the tie-breaker during the season series. Given the same, fans have been questioning whether the five-time NBA All-Star player will be making an appearance or not. The latest update, however, will ease the minds of a few Mavericks followers as Luka Doncic has been reportedly listed as “available” for Thursday.

Doncic’s availability for the next few games had been questionable ever since he developed a nasal contusion during the Mavericks’ 118-102 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The situation further intensified after the player reportedly broke his chin during the next game against Washington. Despite his nose being in a delicate situation and kept intact through stitches, Doncic refused to don a mask.

“I can’t do it,” he said in a reported statement. “So uncomfortable.”

READ MORE: “I Was So Depressed”: Fallen NFL Icon Discloses How LeBron James Gave Him a Fighting Chance

Doncic was placed on the probable list a week ago when his team was set to face off against the San Antonio Spurs. The player showed up for that game and ended up scoring 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. There is a high chance that he may manage to repeat his success in today’s game as well.

The Mavericks coach provides Doncic a “much-needed rest”

Given the stakes of the game that will take place in the next few hours, Luka Doncic’s team is ensuring that their player gets some rest and is rejuvenated before the big moment. The same was recently emphasized by Dallas Mavericks coach and 2011 NBA champion Jason Kidd, who convinced Doncic to take both Monday and Tuesday off from practice.

“He’s put us in the situation where we are today,” said Kidd during a reported statement. “For him to go to Indiana to enjoy All-Star, for him to have to come back and practice today, it would have been unfair. Just not a long enough break.”

Luka Doncic has managed to average an impressive 34.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 9.5 assists during the ongoing season. He has managed to shoot 49.2 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, while his free throw percentage stands at 77.7 percent.

Given the boost that the player can provide to his team against the Suns, providing an extra day off from practice seems to be a justifiable move.