Dallas Mavericks: Luka Doncic (thumb) out against Timberwolves

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic missed the March 1 game against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a thumb injury. Find out more here.

The Dallas Mavericks faced the first of a back-to-back on Sunday afternoon when they traveled to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Mavs just defeated them on Feb. 24. It was the third of a four-game road trip. The Mavericks play in Chicago on Monday night.

Mavericks star Luka Doncic was ruled out about an hour before Sunday’s tipoff. He has been dealing with a thumb injury since hitting it on Wednesday against San Antonio. He went back to the locker room to get it taped but returned. Fans could see Luka favoring in Miami too.

Here is what Coach Rick Carlisle had to say about Doncic’s injury pregame.

It could be a multiple game absence for Luka. The Mavericks want him healthy. The injury will continue to get banged around as much as the 21-year-old handles the ball and drives to the rim.

Who steps up

The Dallas Mavericks started Delon Wright in Luka’s place on Sunday in Minnesota. Jalen Brunson remains out of the lineup with a labrum injury in his shoulder. It also means additional minutes for J.J. Barea.

Kristaps Porzingis now steps in as their leading scorer. Tim Hardaway Jr. needs to pick up the slack and be Dallas’ number two option. He and Seth Curry also take on more ball-handling responsibility too. The Mavericks take more of a committee approach without Luka and Brunson.

Hopefully, Luka Doncic makes a speedy recovery, and he is back in the lineup in no time. The Mavs need their star player to make a deep playoff run, but he must be healthy too.

Stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for every Luka Doncic injury update plus opinions on the Dallas Mavericks that unmatched.