Missing in Minnesota: Butler, Zion, Embiid, Haliburton, LeBron and now Luka?

Fans in Minneapolis have already missed out on Jimmy Butler, Zion Williamson, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton and LeBron James.

It appears the Timberwolves will play against another team down its top player. 

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is expected to miss Thursday night's game against Minnesota at Target Center due to a left quad injury, according to NBA correspondent Mark Stein. If he doesn't play Thursday, he'll be the latest in a long line of stars that have missed games in Minneapolis. 

Dallas' Luka Dončić (left quad) is expected to miss tonight's game at Minnesota, league sources say.

It's the second night of a back-to-back for the Mavericks after a rough fall-from-ahead loss at home to a depleted Cleveland team.

More NBA from me: https://t.co/A6ycVmnrjq

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 28, 2023

Jimmy Butler sat out for the Miami Heat on Oct. 28 during a visit to the Twin Cities, the New Orleans Pelicans' Zion Williamson missed a Nov. 8 matchup at Target Center, Joel Embiid sat out on Nov. 22 when the Philadelphia 76ers were on the second half of a back to back, Tyrese Haliburton was injured for the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 16 and Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James didn't play on the back end of a back to back on Dec. 21 in Minneapolis. 

It looks like Doncic, who scored 39 points when the Wolves beat the Mavericks on Dec. 14 and averages 33.7 points, 9.2 assists and 8.4 rebounds this season, will be the next in the long line of star players fans won't get to see at Target Center. 

So it goes for the 22-7 Timberwolves who have gone 8-1 against opponents who are on the second night of a back to back. The Timberwolves, meanwhile, have played just back to back nights just twice this season. 

Thursday's game between Minnesota and Dallas tips off at 7:10 p.m. CT. 

Will 'rough film session' invigorate Wolves against Luka and Dallas?

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts during the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Dec. 27, 2023 :: Kevin Jairaj / USA TODAY Sports