By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After missing both Game 1 and Game 2, Luka Doncic is currently projected to return to action in Game 3 or Game 4 of the NBA Playoffs’ first-round best-of-seven series between the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz. The Mavs are optimistic he will be cleared, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Doncic, 23, has been dealing with a left calf strain suffered in the regular-season fixture versus the San Antonio Spurs on April 10. The strain is improving but his playing status will be determined within the next few days, as noted in the latest update regarding the injury. Both Game 3 and Game 4 will be held in Vivint Arena on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
Despite missing the Slovenian superstar, Dallas managed to split wins with the Jazz over the first two games in American Airlines Center. German Maxi Kleber drained eight three-pointers and Jalen Brunson set his career-high at 41 points to even the series on Monday. Whatever the outcome of the two-game visit to Salt Lake City, the first-round opponents will be back in Dallas for Game 5 and presumably will feature Doncic on the next edition of NBA Sundays.
Dancing through his fourth NBA campaign, the former player of Spanish giant Real Madrid generated 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.6 blocks per contest over 65 appearances in the 2021-22 Regular Season. Landing in the fourth seed of the Western Conference earned the home-court advantage in the first round since shifted to the Jazz.
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