The left calf contusion that compelled Mavericks star Luka Doncic to overlook the second day of coaching camp is taken into account to be minor, writes Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning Information. The group will give Doncic per week to relaxation earlier than reevaluating his situation, which suggests he’ll miss a “Fan Jam” open observe on Sunday in addition to the preseason opener Monday towards Memphis. Barring any surprising problems, he ought to be again quickly after that.
“He received hit within the calf,” coach Jason Kidd mentioned. “Reported it tight yesterday in order that they went and received an MRI. We’ll reevaluate him in per week and see the place he stands.”
Curtis remembers that Doncic suffered a pressure in his left calf final October when the Mavs had been in Spain. He was restricted to 5 minutes in an exhibition matchup with Actual Madrid, his former group, and sat out the final recreation of the preseason, however was prepared for opening night time.
Doncic’s teammates don’t appear involved about having him miss per week or extra of coaching camp.
“I don’t assume it’s going to be onerous as a result of when he’s on the court docket, it’s simple to play with him,” P.J. Washington mentioned. “For us, it’s simply studying our spacing and studying the place we have to be. He’s going to be Luka, so we’re not likely anxious about him. It’s simply us getting in our proper spots, ensuring we all know the performs and defenses and all of that sort of stuff.”
Sources inform Tim MacMahon of ESPN (Twitter hyperlink) that there aren’t any considerations about Doncic’s availability for the October 24 opener.
There’s extra from Dallas:
- The Mavericks signed Naji Marshall to be a defensive stopper after dropping Derrick Jones in free company, however Marshall might present an offensive elevate as nicely, Curtis states in a separate story. Klay Thompson was raving about Marshall’s shot-making after the primary day of camp. “Naji performed unimaginable,” Thompson mentioned. “The man was making floaters, pull-ups. I assumed he performed very well. I used to be impressed with Naji. He scored a few occasions on me. His jumper was fluid and his midrange was good.”
- Thompson needed to “get the nerves out” in his first day of coaching camp with a brand new group after spending 13 years with the Warriors, Curtis provides in one other piece. “It appears like transferring faculties,” he mentioned, “however it’s a sense you wish to embrace as a result of it’s so uncommon to get these butterflies as a participant. It’s superior.”
- Maxi Kleber and Kessler Edwards had been each held out of the beginning of camp, though Kidd didn’t present a purpose, in response to Curtis. Kleber missed a lot of final season’s playoff run with a proper shoulder AC joint separation.
