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[Saba Sports News] The Dallas Mavericks endured a tough night on Wednesday, falling to the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-99 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.
Adding to the heartbreak, Luka Doncic suffered an injury that forced him out of the game before halftime.
Doncic injured his leg while driving to the basket late in the second quarter, planting his left foot awkwardly as the Mavericks trailed 48-38.
The five-time All-Star signaled for a substitution, limping off the court before heading to the locker room. He did not return for the remainder of the game.
The team later announced that Doncic is dealing with a calf strain, with initial reports suggesting he could be sidelined for “an extended period.”
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Doncic left the arena on crutches and is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday. The injury involves the same calf that caused him to miss games earlier in October.
Doncic’s potential absence poses challenges for the Mavericks. With NBA awards and All-NBA eligibility requiring players to participate in at least 65 games, missing more than 10 games could disqualify Doncic from individual honors this season.
Despite the setback, Dallas has shown resilience without its star player, boasting a surprising 6-2 record in games played without Doncic this season. The team will need to lean on its depth and adaptability as they await further updates on their franchise cornerstone.