DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - The Dallas Mavericks will be without their superstar Luka Doncic on Thursday night, when the team heads to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Jazz in Game 3 of their playoff series.
However, Doncic reportedly will return to action and play in Game 4 on Saturday.
While Doncic was already questionable heading into Game 3, he did indicate that he was "feeling good" and would take the court if there was 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."
Unfortunately, Dallas will have to wait one more game to get their star back into the fold.
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.
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 for Game 3 at 8pm CT on Thursday night from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City.
