While Christmas sparkled around the world, a shadow loomed over Dallas as Luka Doncic walked off the court. The Mavericks didn’t just lose the game against the Timberwolves but also lost their star player as well. Soon after, the announcement came that the young guard would be sidelined for an entire month.

All of these happened as Doncic had strained his left calf. While he’s not often seen on the court, updates about him are frequently shared on social media by his fan pages. The most recent clip surfaced after the team’s 134-122 loss to the Cavaliers on Friday, showing Doncic sitting courtside.

Following the game, the Slovenian got up, placed his left knee on a small scooter, and rolled his way back. The caption on the post read, “10 days after the injury. Luka can barely step on his foot. I want to die.” And Mavs fans gathered, expressing their concern for Doncic’s condition.

Mavericks Fans show concern over Luka Doncic’s viral video

“Not looking good at all 😑” one fan commented. Doncic wasn’t taking any risks by walking, opting instead to travel in the scooter. Walking would put too much pressure on his already strained calf, so to be cautious, he’s avoiding it. In situations like this, bed rest is typically recommended for a faster recovery.

Someone prayed, “Lord have mercy.” Over the past six seasons, Doncic has built a strong fan base, and all they wish for is the 25-year-old’s good health. This fan hoped that Doncic wouldn’t have to endure any severe pain during his healing.

“Mavs need him but let him heal,” stated a loyal Mavs fan. It’s true that the Mavericks need him. The team did win the next game after Doncic’s exit, but has since lost all four consecutive games following that. Without the five-time All-Star, their offense is clearly lacking. He would have provided the much-needed depth. However, the fan further added, “Forcing it might cause a season ending injury.” That’s something the franchise definitely wouldn’t want. Missing Luka for a month is already tough enough and losing him for the remainder of the season could cost them dearly.

“Hopefully he’ll be back around the ASG. Let’s hope that we will still be afloat by then,” read one of the comments. The All-Star Game is set for February 16, and by that time, one can only hope for Doncic’s return. However, nothing can be speculated as of now. The Mavericks’ medical team will first re-evaluate his foot before making any decisions. How the team performs by that time is a question for the future.

Meanwhile, another fan expressed that they just wanted Doncic to fully recover, even if it meant returning after the All-Star weekend. “Doesn’t matter how long it takes. Coming back after all star game I’d prefer. Mavs gotta start winning without him,” they wrote. As per Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News, “It’ll be a while before he can train, much less play.”

Indeed, the squad needs to prepare themselves thoroughly to build strong chemistry and step up without their main man. They’ll need to find a way to win without him, as his return will take a considerable amount of time.