DALLAS — Superstar guard Luka Doncic participated fully in the Dallas Mavericks’ practice Wednesday for the first time since straining his left calf, fueling cautious optimism he could be cleared for Thursday’s Game 3 against the Utah Jazz.
Doncic, who sustained the injury in the regular-season finals on April 10, has gradually increased basketball activity, making explosive moves off his left leg for the first time during the recovery process in a one-on-one training session on Tuesday. He said he felt “good” playing 1-on-1 on Wednesday, but the Mavs didn’t do any live scrimmaging during practice.
“We shouldn’t rush anything, but I think I’m doing a lot step by step,” said Doncic. “I’m getting ready.”
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Doncic and Mavs coach Jason Kidd said a decision on Doncic’s Game 3 status would be made on Thursday. Dallas player and health benefits director Casey Smith will have a say in the decision, which largely depends on whether Doncic is at risk of worsening the injury, which would likely force him to miss the rest of the playoffs.
“If there’s a risk, I don’t think I’ll play,” said Doncic. “But like I said, yesterday and today we did some good things. If it’s not a risk, I don’t want to play limited minutes because I’m nervous. I want to be out as long as possible but I want to say I’ll see how I feel and we’ll talk to the medical staff.
“I don’t know if I’ll be 100 percent. I think that’s difficult at the moment. But if I’m ready and there’s no risk [aggravating the] Injury, I’ll be out there.”
The Western Conference first-round series is tied as it moves to Salt Lake City. The Mavs leveled the streak with a 110-104 win in Game 2 on Monday marked by guard Jalen Brunson’s career-best 41-point performance. Doncic was a dedicated spectator in the first two games, spending most games standing in front of the Mavs’ bench and cheering enthusiastically.
“Playoff basketball is so much fun, especially when you play at home with the crowd,” Doncic said. “Sitting outside and watching the game is a lot more stressful than playing the game. I don’t know how, but that’s how it is. I just miss basketball. I know it was only two games but I miss it so much.”
The average absence due to calf strains for NBA players this season was 16 days, according to information from InStreetClothes.com. Mavs reserve guard Frank Ntilikina was returning from a calf strain 12 days earlier this season. Game 3 takes place 11 days after Doncic was injured.
“He’s going in the right direction, and again, I know it sounds like a broken record, but we’ll see how he feels tomorrow and then hopefully there’s a green light,” Kidd said. “If not, we’re ready to go without him.”