How the Damian Lillard injury impacts Luka Doncic and the Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks had their six-game win streak snapped by the New York Knicks on Jan. 12 in one of the team’s ugliest performances of the season. The Knicks won by 23 at Madison Square Garden and dropped the Mavs to 22-19 at the midway point of the regular season. It was been a roller coaster ride for MFFLs, but the best is still yet to come from superstar Luka Doncic and his team.

The biggest news for the Mavericks on Wednesday may have come from outside of Dallas as it was announced Damian Lillard will have surgery on an abdominal injury that will sideline him for a minimum of six weeks and could keep him out of the remainder of the season. Whenever a six-time All-NBA selection goes down it is a gigantic story that has ripple effects across the league.

How were the Dallas Mavericks impacted by the Lillard injury update? Here is a closer look at five ways.

How the Dallas Mavericks are impacted by the injury to Damian Lillard

The Mavs still have two meetings against the Trail Blazers on their schedule, including one on April 8 that could have a massive impact on the standings. The Western Conference is bunched up and teams will be fighting until the final day for playoff position. Fans have been treated to some incredible Luka Doncic versus Dame showdowns, but Dallas will be heavily favored if Lillard is out.

The impacts of Dame’s absence on the Dallas Mavericks goes far beyond the two meetings between the squads. Here are four other reasons why his injury shakes things up.