The Dallas Mavericks had a loss to the severely shorthanded Cavaliers yesterday. Fans were none too happy with how the fierce showdown had a shocking turn towards the end. While Luka Doncic had another splendid night with 39 points, it wasn’t enough to pull the Mavs to safety. A 4th quarter collapse from Dallas saw them blow a 20 point lead, and lose to the shorthanded Cavaliers by 3 points.

Tonight, as Dallas is getting ready to face off against the Western Conference top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, the Mavs PR has released a concerning injury update.

Luka Doncic injury update ahead of Timberwolves clash

Doncic will be absent from the game due to left quad soreness. And it doesn’t stop there. Kyrie Irving and Maxi Kleber are also still sidelined from right heel contusion and right small toe dislocation, respectively.

Doncic’s absence has been a long time coming. Ever since Irving’s absence, he has been shouldering twice the load and trying hard to keep his team afloat. Averaging 37.0 minutes per game (third-highest), he has been largely available for the ‘Lone Star State’, missing just two games the entire season.

His quad injury had kept him out of the December 22 clash against the Houston Rockets. Last night’s game also had Doncic questionable for the same. Of course, he suited up, so there are still many who are hoping the same to happen. But the Cavs game, especially the fourth-quarter run, has shown us that Luka Doncic is sorely in need of rest.

Read More: Luka Doncic in Utter Dismay After Cavs Sting Mavs With 20-Point Comeback in Wild Ending

The Cavaliers bloom in a late-game resurgence

The Mavericks vs Cavaliers matchup was a sealed deal even before the tip-off. Not having key players like Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, and Evan Mobley meant that the Mavs could easily come out victors. Or at least it was the plan.

Cleveland’s stunning comeback from a 20-point deficit has left everyone slack-jawed. The remarkable win was all thanks to another trio – Caris LeVert (29), Isaac Okoro (22), and Jarrett Allen (24). Allen had a particularly brilliant night, landing a double-double with 23 rebounds (!) to go along with the 24 points.

The late fourth-quarter surge saw the Mavericks fumbling about. With just 4:58 left on the clock, the Cavs went on an uncontested 15-0 run. Dallas, for their part, missed 10 straight field goal attempts and committed three turnovers. All of which the Cavs took complete advantage of.

Doncic’s struggles during this stretch were apparent. Coming off the bench after six minutes, he went 2-for-7. Seeing that the Slovenian superstar will be unavailable tonight, the Wolves will be looking forward to devouring the Mavs whole.

Can a weakened Mavs side hold off the best of the west?

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