Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić had a scary fall in Thursday night’s game, but appears to have escaped serious injury.
Midway through the third quarter, Dončić went hard to the basket between Jonas Valančiūnas and Brandon Ingram. Ingram blocked the shot, but Valančiūnas got his massive body in the way, and Dončić hit the floor hard.
The MVP contender was quickly ruled out with a right heel contusion. Considering how awkwardly Dončić hit the floor, the outcome could have been far worse.
Luka Doncic won’t return to the game due to a right heel contusion, the Mavericks announced. pic.twitter.com/GHGDq7fJaI
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) February 3, 2023
A hush went over the Mavericks home crowd at the American Airlines Center
“You want to talk about a lot of gasping in this building,” Mavericks play-by-play announcer Mark Followill said.
Head coach Jason Kidd said after the game the team will know more Friday.
“Contusion to the heel, so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow and have a better update to give you,” Kidd said.
Jason Kidd gives an update on Luka Doncic status after exiting tonight's game with an injury. #MFFL | @dallasmavs on @BallySportsSW 📺 pic.twitter.com/zl6HrM9nnH
— Bally Sports Southwest (@BallySportsSW) February 3, 2023
The Mavericks can ill afford to lose Dončić for even a game. At times this season he has seemed like a one-man wrecking crew for Dallas. He entered Thursday second in the NBA in scoring (33.4 points per game) fourth in assists (8.3) and averaging 8.9 rebounds per game.
Dončić scored 31 points against the Pelicans before exiting the game. Dallas went on to win, 111-106.
[Photo credit: Bally Sports SW]
