Dallas Mavericks' Luka Doncic to Miss Saturday's Game Against Memphis Grizzlies

The Dallas Mavericks will be without their superstar for at least one game. Coach Jason Kidd declared Luka Doncic is "day-to-day" with a thigh injury and will sit for Saturday's game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Absence updates from Jason Kidd:

— Luka Doncic (left thigh strain) out tomorrow vs. Grizzlies, Mavs listing him “day to day.”

— Kyrie Irving missed practice for personal reasons, but “hopefully he can join us in Memphis.”

— Reggie Bullock, JaVale McGee, Maxi Kleber all good.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) March 10, 2023

Doncic exited after a little under 28 minutes of Wednesday's 113-106 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. He laboured for much of the night, hitting only four of his 14 field goal attempts for 15 points, three rebounds, and eight assists.

Doncic's absence could loom large this weekend. He's averaging career bests in points per game (33.0) and true shooting percentage (.613) this season, and the Mavericks have typically struggled without him. They're 2-7 in games he has missed and in the middle of a concerning 5-7 stretch since acquiring Kyrie Irving. If they're going to improve on their 34-33 record and hopefully claw their way out of the play-in tournament, they'll need to Doncic to make a healthy return sooner than later.

Doncic's next opportunity to see the court will be in a rematch with the Grizzlies on Monday.