Dallas Mavs' Luka Doncic Injury Update: 'Limited' Minutes vs. Real Madrid

Luka Doncic was greatly looking forward to the Dallas Mavericks' exhibition matchup with Real Madrid, but due to a calf injury, his playing time will be limited on Tuesday.

After starting the NBA preseason with consecutive losses to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Abu Dhabi, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said there were a lot of positives to take away from those two games, including the overall health of the roster.

“I thought the trip was a positive in so many ways when you look at the health,” Kidd said. “We leave here healthy headed to Madrid, and then we get back to work on Monday. We’ll have [Sunday] off, but again a lot of positives."

With that said, though, perhaps the Mavs aren't quite as healthy as Kidd thought, especially when it comes to their two superstars. Kyrie Irving missed the second T-Wolves game with what the team described as "groin soreness," and he will miss Tuesday's game against Real Madrid as well. Now, according to NBA insider Marc Stein, Luka Doncic, who has been honored by his former club over the last few days, will be limited to just five minutes of action on Thursday due to a left calf strain.

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will face Real Madrid on Tuesday, the team he joined at the young age of 13 years old :: Chris Marion/NBAE via Getty Images

"The Mavericks tell @BallySportsSW they will have to limit Luka Doncic to roughly five minutes of playing time in his Real Madrid homecoming game due to a left calf strain," Stein tweeted. "Doncic desperately wanted to play more, I'm told, but Dallas established this limit to be ultra cautious."

Although having his playing time limited in this matchup will be a tough pill for Doncic to swallow, the Mavs being cautious here is the right move with opening night against Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs being just two weeks away. Last season, injuries played a big part in the Mavs missing the playoffs for the first time since Doncic's rookie season in 2018-19. The hope is that they can limit that injury misfortune this time around.

"It's an honor to receive this distinction," Doncic said after being awarded a commemorative plaque honoring him as an ambassador of the Madrid community on Monday.

"Tomorrow is going to be a very special day, and there will be many emotions. Everyone knows what Real Madrid and Madrid mean to me. Thank you very much to all."

Limited playing time or not, it won't take away from what will still be a 'very special day' for both Doncic and Real Madrid. The Mavs and Real Madrid will tip off at 1:45 p.m. CT, and the game will be aired on NBA TV.

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