The Dallas Mavericks fans finally have something to cheer about! The team that dominated the West with the lethal trio of Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson has had a free fall post the Christmas Day game. Yes, it was the day when ‘Luka Magic ‘ sustained a calf strain and hasn’t played a single game since then. Amid his absence, the team went through a lot of turmoil, facing multiple injuries and a bad slump. Nevertheless, the Mavs family finally spot the light at the end of the tunnel.

On December 25, 2024, Luka suffered a calf injury, and the team announced that the star wouldn’t return for a month, and since then they have had a 5-10 record. In addition to that, a concerning video of the Slovenian star using a knee walker surfaced online, leaving the fans in disbelief.

While it’s almost a month, the veteran NBA analyst Tim MacMahon dropped a crucial update on Luka Doncic’s return. But before that, he clarified the Mavs’ trade stance before the deadline. Firstly, Dereck Lively II has been a costly miss for the team, as he won’t return for at least 2-3 months with an ankle fracture. MacMahon clearly ruled out his trade options, as he considered the sophomore big man as the “third most important player” on the team.

On the other hand, Klay Thompson, the latest entrant in the Mavs team, hasn’t had a great run since Luka’s exit and often found himself on the bench during clutch moments, hinting strong trade vibe. However, MacMahon ruled it out as well, saying, “Everybody wants Klay back, wants Luca back… Klay really needs Luka back because his numbers are much better with Luka on the floor… Luka is as good at creating open threes.” 

While we know Luka was the missing piece in Klay’s performance, the ultimate question is when will he return. Well, as per MacMahon, the Slovenian guard is“hoping to get back before the All-Star break.”

Is it already too late for a resurrection?

Can Luka Doncic & Co. bounce back from the slump?

Currently, the Mavericks are the 7th seed with a 24-21 record. Out of which, the last 10 losses came in during Luka Doncic‘s absence. If the star guard doesn’t return to the fold anytime soon, the team might not even qualify for the playoff. From playing the Finals to missing out on postseason contention is indeed an embarrassing sight.

Moreover, even if they qualify for the playoffs, the team will have the disadvantage of facing away games to start every single series. Even though the Mavs had a similar fate last season, there’s no guarantee that they will have a similar run. However, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, who featured alongside Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon, had a promising statement.

“Golden State’s in trouble, Phoenix is in trouble yes we’re banged up but if we could just tread water… I don’t think they’re in a ton of danger of falling out of the 10 (10th seed) … If they are healthy come playoff time as you said McMahon, ‘Man, they’re not going to be afraid of going on the road to play a playoff series.” 

So, the experts are confident that the Mavs can pull it back even if they finish last in the postseason contention. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.