Is Luka Doncic playing tonight? Mavericks vs Hornets injury update for March 24

Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic returned on Wednesday night after a five-game absence with a thigh injury. He put on a show and had a 30-point double-double, but his team lost arguably their biggest game of the year.

The Mavs wraps up a two-game homestand on Friday night in their first of two straight contests against the Charlotte Hornets. Dallas desperately needs a victory to stay in the Western Conference playoff hunt, and the Hornets are already mathematically eliminated from postseason contention. The Mavericks must care of business, but it won’t be easy on Friday night.

Will Luka play against the Hornets? Who is on the injury report for Dallas? What is up next for the Mavericks? Let us take a closer look at all of those questions.

Luka Doncic injury status for Dallas Mavericks vs Charlotte Hornets on March 24

Doncic will play on Friday night. He is off the injury report and ready two nights after going off for 30 points, 17 assists, and seven rebounds in 41.1 minutes of action. Luka’s jumper was a bit rusty against the Warriors, but the rest of his game showed no ill effects from the thigh injury.

Dallas Mavericks' full injury report vs Charlotte Hornets on March 24

Kyrie Irving (foot) will play on Friday night. He re-injured his foot on Monday night in Memphis, which forced him to miss Wednesday’s game, but the eight-time All-Star is back tonight. THJ will miss his second straight game with an illness.

Charlotte is on the second night of a back-to-back set, so they did not release an official injury report. LaMelo Ball is out for the season, but no word yet on who else is out for the Hornets on Friday night.

Luka Doncic's injury history

Luka has missed 15 games this season, including five of the last six with a thigh injury. Fans can see Doncic’s entire NBA injury history here.

When is Luka Doncic coming back?

Luka is back, but it will be interesting to see what the team does this weekend. Dallas has a Sunday-Monday back-to-back, and Doncic suffered an injury on the second night of one of those the last time he played. Does number 77 sit out one of those two games? The Mavericks need every win, but they must have a healthy Luka to do anything in the postseason. It is a tough call and something to watch on Sunday and Monday.

Dallas Mavericks' next 5 opponents

The Mavs begin a five-game road trip against Eastern Conference foes after Friday night’s game in Dallas. Can they take advantage and get a couple of easy wins to set themselves up to make the postseason? That starts on Friday night against the Hornets, but it won’t be easy.

Here is a glance at the Dallas Mavericks' five-game road trip, which begins on Sunday in Charlotte.

Sunday, March 26 at Charlotte Hornets at 12:00 p.m. CT

Monday, March 27 at Indiana Pacers at 6:00 p.m. CT

Wednesday, March 29 at Philadelphia 76ers at 6:30 p.m. CT

Saturday, April 1 at Miami Heat at 6:30 p.m. CT

Sunday, April 2 at Atlanta Hawks at 5:00 p.m. CT