Luka Doncic improving but remains out for Dallas Mavericks Game 3 vs. Jazz

The Dallas Mavericks will play their third straight game without superstar Luka Doncic on Thursday evening, according to Adrian Wojnarowski. They split the first two games of their first-round series against the Utah Jazz at home, but they need a win in Salt Lake City to have a chance to advance.

Doncic strained his left calf in the team’s regular-season finale on April 10. He was playing the best basketball of his career before the injury, and the team is eager to get him back. Luka keeps improving, but the team again ruled out just before Thursday’s tipoff. Marc Stein reported that Luka is expected to return in Game 4 on Saturday afternoon.

Doncic was upgraded to questionable on the official injury report before having to miss the game. He did additional on-court work over the last four days, and the team believes he will be ready for Game 4. Here is a look at the latest.

Luka Doncic improving but remains out for Dallas Mavericks Game 3 vs. Jazz

Luka is shooting and moving around the court, but his calf just needs a bit more time to heal. Expect the 23-year-old superstar to do a bit more in his workout on Friday before testing his calf again pregame on Saturday afternoon. Doncic should be able to return for Game 4 in Utah as long as he continues progressing leading up to tipoff.

Spencer Dinwiddie will again start for Luka Doncic in Game 4. The 6’5 guard will partner with Jalen Brunson to handle the majority of the ball-handling duties. Both men will need to attack off the dribble and find open shooters if Dallas wants to pull the upset on April 21.

Doncic met with reporters on Wednesday afternoon, and he made it clear that there is no plan for him to return until he is fully healthy and has no risk of re-injury. The 23-year-old superstar needs a bit more time, but expect him to take the court for Game 4 on Saturday afternoon, and supporters can check back to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on his injury.