Luka Dončić Down With Knee & Ankle Sprains

 

The good news for the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night was an impressive win over the Denver Nuggets. The bad news was this incident in the final minute of play, where Austin Rivers fell on Luka Dončić's leg, and the Mavs superstar came up hobbling and holding his left leg.

Dončić immediately hopped over to a courtside seat, and sat down, clutching his ankle. He then headed straight to the locker room. 

Luka put up his usual stellar numbers before the injury, posting 23 points, 8 rebounds and 11 assists, while leading the Mavs to double-digit comeback against Nikola Jokic and Co. 

He was diagnosed with a sprained knee AND sprained ankle, though a source told ESPN's Tim McMahon that the injuries are "not too serious." He'll miss "a bit of time", but the Mavs are hoping it won't be an extended absence. 

What is troubling, however, is that this is the third time in recent years that Dončić has suffered a sprained ankle. He missed 11 regular season games in the 2019-20 season, and then finished the 2020 playoffs hobbled by an ankle sprain.

Tim McMahon notes that's all that's problematic about these new injuries. It's all about the timing. 

Timing of Luka Doncic’s injury is particularly tough for two reasons: 1) Mavs left today for a challenging four-game trip (two vs. Suns, two vs. Clippers); 2) the Luka/Kristaps Porzingis duo had really started clicking. Doncic had 11 assists to Porzingis in last two games.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) November 16, 2021

The Mavs' big duo of Luka and Kristaps Prozingis had really been connecting in recent games, plus the team leaves on a tough four-game road trip, with a pair of games each against the Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers. 

Dončić signed a 5-year, $207 Million max rookie extension this past offseason, and is currently averaging 24.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists this season.