THE Dallas Mavericks are reeling after crocked hero Luke Doncic was ruled out for at least a month.
The five-time NBA All-Star departed on crutches after straining his left calf in the 105-99 Christmas Day loss to Minnesota Timberwolves.
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The Slovenian had an MRI scan the following day and the extent of his problem will be re-assessed in a month’s time.
Dallas are “preying” it won’t then be more bad news for the 25-year-old.
Doncic had racked up 14 points, five rebounds and two assists in just 16 minutes at home to the Timberwolves.
But he promptly hurt his calf in what looked like a harmless play in the second quarter.
Doncic winced in pain when he landed on his left foot after launching into a dribble.
He immediately alerted the Mavericks bench and was in no condition to get back into defense.
After the Timberwolves went on to score. Dallas called a timeout with 2mins 31secs of the first half remaining.
That allowed Doncic to hobble off to the locker room, where medics soon confirmed he was unfit to return.
He left the Mavericks’ arena on crutches – with his THIRD calf strain in recent years.
Now, at the very least, he is likely to miss 15 games.
That rules him out of the running for the NBA awards, especially as he sat out eight matches earlier in 2024-25 due to other injuries.
Doncic is a key man for Dallas – averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game this season.
Mavericks co-star Kyrie Irving said: “Praying for Luka just to have a speedy recovery.
“However long the timetable is, we’re going to have to adjust. It’s just the nature of the business.
“Hopefully, he just takes his time and comes back when he’s ready.”