Dallas Mavs Reveal Luka Doncic Status Update vs. Sacramento Kings
DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks will complete a back-to-back when they face the Sacramento Kings on Sunday. They will do so with Luka Doncic in the lineup despite him being designated as questionable due to right knee soreness.
The Mavs added Doncic to the injury report hours before Sunday's game, designating him as questionable to play due to right knee soreness. He was later ruled out when Mavs coach Jason Kidd provided a pre-game medical update.
"It's about energy and attitude," Kidd said of handling back-to-backs. "We can complain about the schedule, about the [tipoff] time, about the floor — whatever we want to complain about, but we have to be pros about it. It's about energy, effort, and attitude. sacramento has played extremely well, they've won five straight, and with De'Aaron Fox back in the lineup, this will be a major test."
Doncic did not sit out the Mavs' initial back-to-back of the season, but the team's approach to those situations as the season progressed remained something to monitor. He will now be available to play in the second game of both of the team's back-to-backs to start the season.
Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic against the Sacramento Kings in 2022-23.
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
In the Mavs' previous outing, Doncic finished with 35 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in the 132-125 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. When speaking to reporters after the game, the Slovenian superstar stressed the need for improvement in the team's defensive execution after giving up 43 points in the fourth quarter.
"Just got to play better defense. That's it," Doncic said. "I don't think offense is a problem. I think we just have to play better defense."
Doncic has averaged 31.0 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds this season. He's remained an integral element of the Mavs' success as they have gotten off to one of the strongest starts in the Western Conference with a 9-4 record through games.
The Mavs will depart later this week for a two-game road trip in Los Angeles, beginning with a matchup against the Lakers on Wednesday and ending with facing the Clippers on Saturday.
