Luka Dončić to Miss Month with Calf Strain, Mavericks Face Challenges

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Luka Dončić will be out for about a month before being re-evaluated for his left calf strain. This injury occurred during the Dallas Mavericks' Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Dončić, who has a history of calf issues, exited the game in the second quarter after experiencing pain while attempting a step-back move. He was ruled out for the remainder of the game and used crutches to leave the arena postgame.

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Dončić's calf strain is considered a Grade 2 strain, typically requiring a little over a month for recovery. This timeline suggests he will miss at least 16 games, putting him out until late January 2025. The Mavericks will play 16 games during this period, culminating in an NBA Finals rematch on January 25th.

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The injury is a significant setback for Dončić, who has already missed eight games this season due to various injuries, including a right knee contusion, a right wrist sprain, and a left heel contusion. His absence will impact the Mavericks' playoff aspirations, but they have shown resilience in his absence, posting a 6-2 record in the games he has missed this season.

Kyrie Irving, who scored 39 points in the Christmas Day game, will likely take on a larger role in Dončić's absence, along with other key players like Quentin Grimes and Klay Thompson.

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Luka Dončić to Miss Month with Calf Strain, Mavericks Face Challenges

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Kyrie Irving, who scored 39 points in the Christmas Day game, will likely take on a larger role in Dončić's absence, along with other key players like Quentin Grimes and Klay Thompson.

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