Luka Doncic has been ruled out indefinitely after suffering a calf strain in the Dallas Mavericks regular season finale. However, the Mavericks are ready to cover for him in case he’s unavailable in the first round series vs Utah.
Spencer Dinwiddie will be the starting guard alongside Jalen Brunson if Doncic is not ready to play Saturday night. Dinwiddie, acquired as part of the Kristaps Porzingis trade at the Feb. 10 deadline.
He became a crucial part of Dallas’ surge in the second part of the season as the team only suffered seven loses since the NBA trade deadline. In 23 games, Dinwiddie has averaged 15.8 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists, while shooting 49.8 percent from the floor and 40.4 percent on threes.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd is confident the Mavericks can still be successful even without Doncic available to play.
“We feel confident if he has to start, that’s what we’ll do. But no matter who we roll out there to start or who’s going to play in that game, we’ll be ready and prepared, and it’s about executing.”
Kidd said injuries are part of the game, and sometimes they happen at the wrong time. As the Mavericks were rolling with Doncic as their offensive spearhead losing him during the most crucial part of the season is certainly bad timing for Jason Kidd and his team.
The Mavericks’ preference would clearly be to have their superstar available in the playoffs. However, there is an understanding that everyone must take on more responsibility as Dallas is hoping to get past the first round for the first time in 11 years.
“It’s just what it is,” Kidd told reporters Tuesday. “We’ll see how he feels. As a coach, it’s the player’s call so if he’s able to go, he’s gonna go, but, if he can’t, we’re not going to jeopardize to put himself in a situation to make it worse”
The Dallas Mavericks will play vs Utah Saturday with or without Luka Doncic. In any case, the rest of the team will have to be at its best to protect its home court advantage.
“Obviously, everybody gets more possessions, of course, Dinwiddie said Tuesday. “I’ll probably approach it similarly to when (Doncic) wasn’t playing before. I know my usage will be up like I said, but it’s a team effort. I don’t expect to shoulder the load completely.”
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