Mavs Injury Update: Luka Doncic OUT vs. Rockets; Details

The Mavs will play against the Rockets without Luka Doncic in the lineup as he is dealing with a quad injury amid a stretch of playing heavy minutes.

DALLAS — When the Dallas Mavericks face off against the Houston Rockets on Friday, they will do so without Luka Doncic in the lineup, and there will be no shortage of other important players. 

The Mavs have ruled out Doncic due to a left quad strain, resulting in what will be his second missed game of the season. His first missed game since being out for what was designated as personal reasons against the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 1, later determined to be due to the birth of his daughter. 

Other players already ruled out for the Mavs ahead of Friday's game include Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion), Dereck Lively II (left ankle sprain), Dante Exum (left lower leg contusion), Josh Green (right elbow sprain), and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation). Meanwhile, Seth Curry (back spasms) is questionable to play. 

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The Mavs have yet to provide a clear timetable for return for any of the players that have been frequent members of the injury report, including Irving, Lively, Green, or Kleber. It remains to be seen when any player will be back in the lineup, but a positive development includes Irving and Lively no longer wearing walking boots. 

Doncic has averaged 32.7 points, 9.1 assists, and 8.4 rebounds in 26 games this season, remaining one of the premier candidates for the 2024 NBA MVP award, along with candidates like Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. 

Luka's Mavs Nearly Pull Off 22-Point Comeback in Loss vs. Clippers

In the Mavs' 120-111 loss against the Los Angeles Clippers, Doncic finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, and 10 assists in 44 minutes. The team nearly overcame a 22-point deficit but could not execute well enough in clutch time to overcome Kawhi Leonard's late-game prowess. 

The Mavs quickly return to action after facing the Rockets as they will face the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, the second night of a back-to-back.