Luka Doncic out for preseason opener vs Thunder on Oct. 5: Who steps up?

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic did not make the trip to Tulsa for Wednesday’s preseason opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Head coach Jason Kidd tipped fans off to this at the beginning of training camp, but the news was made official on Wednesday.

Luka is not hurt. The team is giving him some rest after a long summer of basketball with the Slovenian National Team. Doncic is not the only player resting in the team’s preseason opener. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber also stayed back in Dallas. JaVale McGee (ankle) and Davis Bertans (knee) are both out with injuries.

Without Luka and three other rotation pieces, there will be plenty of chances for other players to step up in the preseason opener on Oct. 5. Who takes on the workload?

Luka Doncic out for preseason opener vs Thunder on Oct. 5: Who steps up?

With projected starters Doncic and McGee out, Frank Ntilikina and Christian Wood are expected to start on Wednesday night. Expect Spencer Dinwiddie to take over as the team’s lead playmaker, and it could be a massive night for the 29-year-old. Do not expect massive minutes from any of the Mavericks starters, but Dinwiddie could easily drop 12 in limited playing time.

Fans will be watching closely to see what Wood can do in the preseason opener. He averaged 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.0 block per game over the last two seasons in Houston, but the 6’10 forward is eager to prove that he can produce those numbers in a winning environment. Wednesday is his first chance to showcase his skill set against an opposing team and expect C-Wood to take advantage.

Dallas Mavericks fans should not worry about Luka Doncic. The 23-year-old superstar is resting as he gears up for the long season. He has been practicing, and there is no injury to report. Expect Spencer Dinwiddie and Christian Wood to be the team’s leading scorers on Wednesday as the young guys get the majority of playing time. Tune in for a first glimpse at what C-Wood can do in Dallas, and stay tuned for all the latest.