DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) -The Mavericks have listed Luka Doncic as "questionable" on the injury report for Game 3 on Thursday night in Utah.
Doncic had been listed as "doubtful" on the injury reports for Games 1 and 2.
The Mavs could be in store for a big boost in Game 3 of their first round series against the Utah Jazz, with Luka hinting at a possible return while talking with reporters Wednesday.
While Doncic said he isn't certain to play on Thursday, he did indicate that he is "feeling good" and will take the court if there is no inherent long-term risk.
“I don’t know if I’m gonna be 100 percent, I think that’s tough right now but if I’m ready and there’s no risk of injury I’ll be out there.” Luka told the media on Wednesday afternoon after practice. “Today and yesterday I did a little bit. We shouldn’t rush anything, but step by step, I think I’m improving a lot, and I’m getting better.”
Mavs head coach Jason Kidd also indicated Luka could play on Thursday, with the caveat that it will be "just a matter of how he feels tomorrow."
Without Doncic, the Mavs fell short in Game 1 at home against the Jazz, 99-93. It is the first time since 2011 that the Mavericks have a home-court advantage in the playoffs and are now in danger of falling to 0-2 before going on the road to Utah.
The Mavs are 8-10 this season without him, which includes the Game 1 loss.
“If he can’t play, we have to go forward,” Mavs coach Jason Kidd said last week. “We showed that already in Game 1. If it happens in Game 2, then that’s the way we have to go. That’s just the way sport can be sometimes.”
The Mavericks relied heavily on Spencer Dinwiddie and Jalen Brunson in Game 1, combining for 46 points and 13 assists.
In Game 2, the Mavs were able to hold on and get a win behind a career-high 41 points from Brunson, giving them new life in the series
The Mavs and Jazz tip off at 6 p.m. PT on Thursday night from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
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