Luka Doncic is playing with fire and Mavericks need to step in now

The Dallas Mavericks' NBA Finals loss to the Boston Celtics seems to have been eternities ago, but just over two weeks later, the Mavs roster has significantly changed.

Dallas made a sign-and-trade for Klay Thompson to improve their shooting and also signed Naji Marshall, and these two moves should complement Luka Doncic beautifully.

Doncic is coming off an amazing NBA Finals performance, but his performance in the NBA Playoffs could have been much better if it weren't for his countless injuries.

Luka Doncic playing for Slovenia while injured is risky and not ideal

Doncic was battling a knee sprain and ankle soreness, and he even had to receive pain-killing injections for his thoracic contusion during the Finals to help him manage his pain. These are not ideal conditions for your superstar to be playing through, but now he is getting the rest he needs, right?

The answer to that question is no.

Since the Olympics are this summer, Doncic is playing in the pre-Oympic qualifiers for Slovenia. This is a decision that the Mavs expected Doncic to make, and although Nico Harrison said there is "no concern" with Doncic playing for Slovenia, he is playing with fire and not getting the rest that he desperately needs.

Everyone knows that Doncic loves playing for his country and all signs were pointing to Doncic playing for Slovenia before it was even announced, but he clearly isn't right physically.

In Slovenia's loss to Croatia, Doncic finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists. These numbers look great, but anyone who watched the game or consistently watches Doncic could tell that he is clearly still injured.

Doncic winced several times during the game and was obviously laboring due to pain in his knee, and he shot horribly from the field. He went 8-23 from the field and 0-9 from downtown while playing 37 minutes.

Slovenia playing Doncic for 37 minutes in a game that was out of reach for nearly the entire time, and it may be time for the Mavs to step in. Doncic is shooting himself in the foot when it comes to not letting his body recover after a lengthy season, and there's no way he should have played 37 minutes in that game.

Dallas plainly asking Doncic to not play for Slovenia would likely cause some strife, thus, this situation is a slippery slope. Doncic loves representing Slovenia, and the Olympics only come every four years, but he has to be smart about his body.

Doncic is playing heavy minutes when he should be resting and preparing for next season, and considering there were reports that Doncic's injuries would have sidelined him for multiple weeks during the playoffs if it were the regular season, that is not a good sign that he is playing right now.

Doncic is a warrior and is always going to do whatever he can to play for his home country, but him playing 37 minutes against Croatia is not the best move by Slovenia's coach Aleksander Sekulic. He knows his superstar is hurt, and yet he played him 37 minutes.

Doncic playing injured could have long-term implications, and something has to happen before it's too late.

This is definitely a hard situation for both Doncic and the Mavs, but Doncic is playing with fire and he or the Mavs have to do something before it's too late.

For all the latest on Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks all offseason long, stay tuned as we'll have you covered.