DFS impact: Luka Doncic out against Minnesota Timberwolves

Luka is out with a quadriceps injury.

Dallas superstar Luka Doncic will not play Thursday night when the Mavericks are in Minneapolis to face the Western Conference-leading Minnesota Timberwolves. 

Doncic (left quad soreness) being out has pushed the line in favor of Minnesota to a whopping 13 points. 

How could Luka's absence impact daily fantasy sports? This is NOT betting advice, just a summation of how Dallas could role without their leading scorer, rebounder and assist man against the league's No. 1 defense. 

Keep in mind that Kyrie Irving (right heel contusion) and Maxi Kleber (right small toe dislocation) are also out. Not having Doncic and Irving likely means big minutes for Dante Exum, Jaden Hardy, Tim Hardaway Jr. and maybe even Seth Curry. 

In one game without Doncic this season, Hardaway Jr. had 16 points, three rebounds and one assist against the Houston Rockets. He shot 6 of 20 in the game while Hardy got the start at point guard and shot a woeful 3 of 17 and finished with eight points, two rebounds, four assists and was a minus-33. Hardy's shot volume was there but he didn't capitalize. 

Curry played 18 minutes off the bench and shot 0 of 7 that game. 

Dexter Dennis played just 17 minutes but had the hot hand, making 8-of-11 shots and finishing with 18 points, four rebounds and three assists. Dennis has only seen action in four games so he's no sure thing to get in the game. 

Other notable players who contributed in the Houston game that Doncic missed were Richaun Holmes and Olivier-Maxence Prosper. Prosper had 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting in 30 minutes and Holmes put up 16 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes. 

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

Dec 14, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) in action during the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Minnesota Timberwolves at the American Airlines Center / Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports