Luka Doncic (ankle) won’t travel to Minnesota: Will miss fourth straight game

The Dallas Mavericks have been playing without superstar Luka Doncic since he re-injured his ankle on Dec. 10. He missed his third straight game on Wednesday night as the Mavs hosted the Lakers, but head coach Jason Kidd was quick to rule him out for the team’s one-game road trip.

The Mavericks travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Sunday, but Doncic will stay back in Dallas and continue to work with the training staff. He will miss his fourth consecutive game, and his next chance to play will be on Dec. 21 when the Mavs host the Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center.

Luka missed three games with a left ankle injury in mid-November, and fourth to rest on the second night of a back-to-back on Dec. 4. After the 22-year-old superstar re-injured the ankle against the Pacers, the Mavericks needed to shut him down and give him time to heal. Here is a look at what to expect moving forward.

Luka Doncic will miss fourth straight as Dallas Mavericks travel to Minnesota

The Mavs are focused on getting Luka healthy and back in shape. Much was made about his conditioning when Dallas faced the Nets on Dec. 7, and the extra weight could be playing a factor in the injuries. Expect the Mavericks to get him back to 100 percent and ramp up his conditioning program to get their 22-year-old superstar back in top shape.

Sunday’s contest in Minnesota may not be the last one Doncic misses. The Dallas Mavericks want him back in the lineup for their Christmas Day showcase in Utah against the Jazz. That would give him two weeks off to get his ankle right and work on his conditioning.

Fans should look at that as a tentative target date for Luka’s return. If he feels healthy, the Mavs could bring him back on Dec. 21 or Dec. 23, but it will depend on how his ankle heals.

Fans should keep it locked to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on Luka Doncic’s ankle injury, and all the rumors, analysis, and news Dallas Mavericks supporters crave this season.