The Lakers acquired Doncic (calf), Maxi Kleber (foot) and Markieff Morris on Saturday as part of a three-team deal involving the Mavericks and Jazz, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. The Mavericks received Anthony Davis (abdomen), Max Christie and the Lakers' 2029 first-round draft pick, while Utah received Jalen Hood-Schifino (hamstring) and two 2025 second-round draft picks.
Doncic has been out of action since suffering a left calf strain Christmas Day, but recent reports had suggested that he was on track to return before the All-Star break. His trade to the Lakers is a shocking development, as Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com relays that the Mavericks' motivation to move the 25-year-old superstar was due to the concerns about his conditioning issues and the upcoming supermax contract he would have been eligible for during the upcoming offseason. Though Doncic no longer eligible for the supermax as a result of the trade, the Lakers will almost certainly look to retain him on a shorter-term extension, assuming the organization is satisfied with how he fits in once he's ready to play. Doncic's fantasy outlook shouldn't change dramatically for the worse or the better with the move to Los Angeles, where he'll continue to operate as the centerpiece of the offense while trading one high-usage teammate (Kyrie Irving) for another (LeBron James).
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Could be back before All-Star break
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The Mavericks remain optimistic that Doncic (calf) will return to the lineup prior to the All-Star break, according to NBA reporter Marc Stein.
Dallas hasn't provided an official update on Doncic's status since he suffered a left calf strain in the Mavericks' Christmas Day loss to the Timberwolves. However, the star point guard appears to be progressing as expected just over a month after sustaining the injury. According to Noah Weber of TheSmokingCuban.com, Doncic has been spotted shooting standstill jumpers at recent practices, but until he's able to resume taking part in full-contact, full-court work, a firm date for his return to game action likely won't be solidified. Doncic's ongoing absence has opened up more playing time out of the backcourt for Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes, though neither has been an especially consistent producer on a game-by-game basis.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Out at least one month
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Doncic will be re-evaluated in one month after he sustained a left calf strain in Wednesday's 105-99 loss to the Timberwolves, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Doncic has a long history of injuries to his left leg, including to his calf. He missed time in training camp and the preseason due to a left calf contusion, and he had already sat out eight games during the regular season due to a right knee contusion, a right wrist sprain and a left heel contusion before straining his left calf Wednesday. The Mavericks will hope that some extended down time to recover from his latest injury will be beneficial for his long-term health, and given that Doncic is merely expected to be re-evaluated in one month, it may not be until February that he returns to game action. While Doncic is sidelined, Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson will likely see slight upticks in usage, while players such as Quentin Grimes, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy will all be candidates to move into increased roles as tertiary options on offense.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: May miss extended time
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The Mavericks are bracing for Doncic to miss an extended period after being diagnosed with a left calf strain Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Doncic posted 14 points (5-9 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 1-1 FT), five rebounds, two assists and one steal in 16 minutes before leaving Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves after aggravating a lingering calf injury. The MVP candidate has dealt with multiple lower-body injuries dating back to the Mavericks' surprise run to the NBA Finals last season. While Doncic has been able to play through minor injuries in his career, Dallas will presumably be extremely cautious with him moving forward. In Doncic's absence, Quentin Grimes, Spencer Dinwiddie and Jaden Hardy are candidates for increased roles.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Officially ruled out
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Doncic will not return to Wednesday's Christmas Day contest due to a left calf strain, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports.
Doncic will presumably have follow-up tests to determine the severity of the injury. Doncic has dealt with five separate incidents of lower body injuries since training camp, which adds up to be taxing from a muscular compensation standpoint on his kinetic chain. He was ruled out mere minutes after suffering the aggravation, which will thrust Spencer Dinwiddie into a higher-usage role for Dallas.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Limps to locker room
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Doncic (heel/calf) exited Wednesday's contest versus Minnesota due to an apparent heel injury in the final minutes of the second quarter. His status to return is unclear.
Doncic entered Wednesday's contest dealing with a left heel contusion, and he had a non-contact aggravation of the same region while attempting to drive on Jaden McDaniels. While Doncic had no abnormal extension or force applied, the simple nature in which his injury occurred is similarly concerning.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Will play Wednesday
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Doncic (heel) is available for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
As expected, Doncic has been upgraded from probable to available and will suit up on Christmas Day. After missing two games with a left heel contusion, Doncic returned to action Monday and posted 27 points (10-19 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 30 minutes during a blowout win over the Trail Blazers.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Listed probable for Wednesday
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Doncic (heel) is probable for Wednesday's game against Minnesota.
After missing two games with a left heel contusion, Doncic returned to action in Monday's 132-108 win over Portland, producing 27 points (10-19 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 30 minutes. Though Doncic may not be 100 percent recovered from the heel injury, the Mavericks are planning on him being available for the Christmas Day game.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Game-high 27 points in victory
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Doncic (heel) totaled 27 points (10-19 FG, 1-7 3Pt, 6-8 FT), seven rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 30 minutes during Monday's 132-108 win over the Trail Blazers.
Doncic returned to action following a two-game absence due to a left heel contusion and racked up a game-high mark in points during the win. However, the superstar did struggle from beyond the arc, recording his third game with only one made three-pointer. Doncic has now logged 12 outings with at least 25 points, five rebounds and five assists through 21 regular-season appearances, and he continues to stuff the stat sheet.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Returning Monday vs. Portland
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Doncic (heel) is available to play Monday against the Trail Blazers.
Doncic has been sidelined for the Mavericks' last two games due to a left heel contusion, but he will return for Monday's Western Conference bout. In the six games prior to his injury, Doncic averaged 30.8 points on 52.1 percent shooting, 10.7 rebounds, 9.3 assists and 3.3 steals over 37.3 minutes per game.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Iffy for Monday vs. Portland
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Doncic (heel) is listed as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Trail Blazers.
Doncic is in jeopardy of missing his third consecutive outing due to a left heel contusion. If the superstar is sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes are candidates for an increased role alongside Kyrie Irving in the backcourt.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Ruled out for Saturday
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Doncic (heel) has been ruled out for Saturday's matchup against the Clippers.
Doncic will miss his second consecutive contest due to a left heel contusion. However, the injury shouldn't be a long-term setback as the 25-year-old was able to go through on-court work during Friday's practice. With the superstar sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes are candidates for increased roles.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Active during Friday's practice
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Coach Jason Kidd said Doncic (heel) did some on-court work during Friday's practice, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Doncic sat out of Thursday's loss to the Clippers due to a left heel contusion, though he is ramping up his workload ahead of Saturday's rematch against the Clippers. The superstar should be considered questionable at best for Saturday's game until the team provides an update Friday night. If Doncic remains sidelined, Spencer Dinwiddie and Quentin Grimes are candidates for increased roles.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Won't play Thursday
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Doncic (heel) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Clippers, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
Doncic had missed back-to-back practices due to a bruised left heel, so his absence doesn't come as much of a surprise. With Jaden Hardy (ankle) also out and Kyrie Irving (shoulder) questionable, more opportunities could be available for Spencer Dinwiddie, Quentin Grimes and Jazian Gortman. Doncic's next chance to play will come Saturday in a rematch with the Clippers.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Misses another practice
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Doncic (heel) did not practice Wednesday, Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News reports.
This was the second missed practice in a row for Doncic. Coach Jason Kidd said he will see how Doncic feels Thursday morning, but it sounds like he'll be questionable to face the Clippers. Kyrie Irving (shoulder), who also missed practice Tuesday, was back on the floor for Wednesday's session.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Sits out practice
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Doncic sat out Tuesday's practice with a left heel contusion, Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal.com reports.
The injury is a minor issue that Doncic has been managing for a while, so his absence from practice may have been maintenance-related more than anything. His status for Thursday's game against the Clippers has yet to be determined, but an update should come Wednesday, when Dallas releases its next injury report.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Double-doubles in loss
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Doncic provided 16 points (5-15 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 11 rebounds, five assists and four steals across 40 minutes during Tuesday's 118-104 loss to the Thunder.
The Thunder were able to effectively slow Doncic down, limiting him to 16 points -- he's been held to 16 or fewer points just three times this season. Doncic also turned the ball over a season-high six times in the defeat. He was red hot coming into Tuesday and is still averaging 28.0 points, 10.6 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 3.4 steals and 4.0 three-pointers over his last five outings.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Posts second-straight triple-double
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Doncic supplied 30 points (9-20 FG, 6-13 3Pt, 6-6 FT), 13 rebounds, 11 assists and four steals over 38 minutes during Saturday's 125-118 win over the Raptors.
Doncic registered his first triple-double of the season Thursday against the Wizards, and he followed that up with another elite performance Saturday. The superstar guard connected on a season-high six triples and logged at least two steals for a fourth straight game. Since returning from a five-game absence due to a sprained right wrist, Doncic has averaged 31.0 points, 10.5 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 3.3 steals over 36.5 minutes per contest.
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: First triple-double of season
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Doncic closed Thursday's 137-101 victory over the Wizards with 21 points (7-17 FG, 3-10 3Pt, 4-5 FT), 10 rebounds, 10 assists, one block and two steals over 32 minutes.
After Doncic racked up a whopping 21 triple-doubles a year ago, it wasn't until his 17th appearance that he recorded his first of the 2024-25 season. He also posted his fifth straight game with at least a trio of three-pointers and two steals. Across his last 12 games, Doncic is averaging a superb 29.3 points, 8.7 assists, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 3.6 three-pointers in 36.3 minutes per contest. The superstar guard will get another soft matchup Saturday against Toronto, a club that sits 23rd in the league in defensive efficiency rating (115.3).
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Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Stuffs stat sheet in victory
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Doncic posted 37 points (11-22 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 10-16 FT), 12 rebounds, four assists, four steals and one block across 40 minutes in Tuesday's 121-116 win over Memphis.
Doncic stuffed the stat sheet while racking up his eighth 30-plus-point outing across 16 regular-season appearances. On the defensive end, the superstar tied his season-high mark in steals. Doncic has struggled with efficiency from three-point range this year, though his five triples on Tuesday tied his season-high mark during his most productive outing from beyond the arc thus far. Since returning from a five-game absence due to a right wrist sprain, the 25-year-old has put up two monster stat lines, accumulating 73 points, 19 rebounds, 17 assists, seven steals and a block across 76 total minutes.
