The Dallas Mavericks have enjoyed a solid start this season, standing at 3-1. One of the best players this season for the Mavs is none other than Luka Doncic, who has been phenomenal from the start. Remember his 28 points in the opener and his brilliant display of 40 points against the Suns?

His dynamic play has energized the team and fans alike. However, concerns arise over Doncic’s recent injury scare as excitement builds. Will he be ready to face the Houston Rockets tonight? The answer could shift the game’s momentum significantly. So, without ado, let’s dive right in.

Is Luka Doncic playing? What does the injury report say?

Last night against the Timberwolves, the Target Center saw something unusual. Mavs superstar Doncic exited just before halftime. But why? He started grabbing at his leg during a Mavericks possession and could not run back on defense. After a Wolves turnover, he made a layup off an outlet pass but remained on the court, visibly limping as the play continued.

When the next dead ball was called, the hooper began to limp toward the locker room, needing assistance to leave the court. At the time of his exit, he had already scored 13 points, contributing to the Mavs’ 61-59 lead at halftime. The incident left fans and teammates anxious, especially as Doncic’s status for the coming game against the Rockets could be affected. But here is positive news. There is nothing to worry about, as the NBA injury reports don’t list the player as ‘day-to-day’ or ‘out,’ so he will be playing against the Rockets.

But the Mavs injury report has listed two injuries, as per ESPN. One is their power forward, Maxi Kleber, who has been reported as “out” due to a hamstring injury. But how did the injury happen? Against the Suns, on Saturday, the veteran sustained the injury, and as a result, he was “out” for the matchup against the Jazz and Timberwolves. However, in the game against the Suns, the hooper had a limited impact, scoring just 2 points with 1 rebound and 2 assists in 16 minutes. But who is the next player on the injury list?

Next, their guard, Dante Exum, is reported as “out” after undergoing right wrist surgery. He sustained a wrist injury during training camp and eventually had to go through surgery. The surgery is expected to keep him sidelined for three months and will have him miss nearly half of this season. With that said, what does the Houston Rockets injury report say?

Is anyone injured in the Rockets?

Yes, the veteran center Steven Adams is reported as “day-to-day” due to his right knee injury. He was initially injured during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies on January 22, 2023, against the Suns. Back then the team said that he suffered a PCL sprain and will be sidelined for 3 to 5 weeks.

But on March 9, the team announced that he was re-evaluated and underwent a stem-cell injection. However, the hooper missed the entire 2023-24 season due to surgery on his right knee. He returned to court on Monday against the Spurs and scored 6 points after missing the first three matchups. And now against the Mavs, his status is again questionable.

In summary, the Mavericks received encouraging news with Luka Doncic confirmed to play, strengthening their lineup. On the downside, Maxi Kleber and Dante Exum will be “out” with injuries, which could affect their frontcourt depth. Meanwhile, the Rockets are facing uncertainty with Steven Adam’s status still in question, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the upcoming matchup. Will both teams find the adjustments they need for a crucial win?