Dallas Mavericks: Injuries are impacting Luka Doncic

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has seen his shooting numbers take a hit as he has struggled with injuries. Find out more here.

The Dallas Mavericks have dealt with a plethora of injuries lately. Luka Doncic has missed time with ankle and thumb issues. The Mavs have also been without Tim Hardaway Jr, Seth Curry, Dorian Finney-Smith, Jalen Brunson, Willie Cauley-Stein, and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist for at least one game. That makes no mention of the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Dwight Powell.

It has impacted the Mavericks. Since the start of February, they have won ten of their 17 games. That is a 48-win pace for a full season.

Luka Doncic has played through things lately. It is a positive because he is helping the Mavs win. The injuries are taking a toll on his shooting percentages, though. Impressively, Luka is averaging 27.2 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 8.9 assists per over his last nine games.

It comes on 44.3 percent shooting from the field and 28.2 percent on his 3-pointers. That makes no mention of his foul shooting which sits at 71.8 percent. Remember, Doncic missed seven straight games with an ankle injury before returning on Feb. 12. He has since sat out two games and played in nine heading into the March 10 contest against the Spurs.

Nine games is a small sample, but it is easy to see that the injuries are hurting his shooting. Take this play for example in the March 8 game against the Indiana Pacers.

Luka missed everything with that shot. That does not happen when he is fully healthy and firing on all cylinders.

Doncic is shooting 46.0 percent from the field and 31.5 percent on his 3-pointers during the entirety of his sophomore season.

The fact that an injured Luka is still producing massive numbers is the most impressive thing. No team can slow him down even when he is struggling to hit his shots.

Mavs need Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks want Luka Doncic on the floor. He makes them instantly better. The 21-year-old is leading a historically great offense this season. Even an injured Luka is one of the best players in the NBA. The Mavs need him on the court.

Doncic is on the injury report for Tuesday’s game with a wrist sprain for the first time. It is just another one to add to the growing list. Hopefully, Luka is able to play through the injuries and keeps the Mavericks producing at an elite level.

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