PHOENIX — Luka Doncic left Thursday night’s Mavericks win over the Phoenix Suns after sustaining a sprained left ankle.
He did not return to play or be on the Dallas bench.
Coach Jason Kidd said Doncic «was in good spirits» after the win, but didn’t offer details on the 23-year-old All-Star’s status ahead of Saturday’s game against the Jazz.
“He looked good. He looked good,” Kidd said, “but we’ll see as we move forward here. We’ll probably have more information once we get to Utah.
Kidd said he spoke with Doncic at half-time and before his post-match press conference.
«He was smiling,» Kidd said, «and he was happy for his teammates, saying DP made some big free throws, but then he got that missed free throw rebound. Just his guts tonight for DP was at a high level. The character of this team played hard and found a way to win.
Luka Doncic (sprained left ankle) will not return to tonight’s game in Phoenix, per @MavsPR.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) January 27, 2023
Less than four minutes into the game, the 23-year-old superstar began to limp after pivoting into the post and stepping on the foot of a Suns defender. Although Doncic didn’t fall to the ground, he immediately grabbed his left ankle and limped back on the defense. Coach Jason Kidd called a time out when the Mavericks regained possession.
Director of player health and performance Casey Smith met Doncic on the pitch when play stopped and walked him straight into the locker room.
Doncic hasn’t missed an injury game this season, playing just five of the Mavericks’ first 50 games, all resting and recuperating from a minor ailment on the second straight night.
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