SUMMARY
- The Dallas Mavericks have recently achieved significant victories, including a Christmas Day win over the Phoenix Suns and another against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 27, 2023.
- Despite being listed as 'questionable' due to left quad soreness, Luka Dončić played in the December 27 game and delivered an impressive performance.
The Dallas Mavericks celebrated Christmas Day with a stellar two-digit win over the Phoenix Suns and sustained the same streak against the Cavaliers on December 27, 2023. The Mavs are now up against the Minnesota Timberwolves in a back-to-back on December 28, 2023, at the Target Center. While the Mavs might be finding it hard to give their 100% in a back-to-back game, the uncertainty about the appearance of their star player adds to the tension.
Luka Doncic amassed a 39-point score, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in his 37 minutes on the hardwood against the Cavs. This stellar performance succeeded the massive 50-point gameplay on Christmas Day. As the star guard finds himself on the injury report, this might not be good news for the team, which is now in the headlines regarding the luxury tax issue.
Luka Doncic is available to start for the Mavs vs. Wolves
As per Grant Afseth (reporter for the Mavs), Luka Doncic was listed as ‘questionable’ before the game on December 27, 2023. However, the star guard ended up playing and even threw in 39 points by the end of the fourth quarter. Luka Doncic helped the roster climb to the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Not only that, but the player is the sixth-youngest in the league to achieve the 10,000th career point mark.
Along with that, he is now the seventh player to have done it this early in his NBA career. However, the left quad soreness might take a toll on the player if he shows up for a back-to-back. While the Siberian sensation is available for the game against the No. 1 seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, Kyrie Irving might take his sweet time to recover from a right heel contusion.
Minnesota Timberwolves Injury Report:
- Jaylen Clark (out)
- Karl-Anthony Towns (questionable)
Minnesota Timberwolves Expected Lineup:
- Mike Conley
- Anthony Edwards
- J McDaniels
- Karl-Anthony Towns
- Rudy Gobert
Dallas Mavericks Injury Report:
- Kyrie Irving (questionable)
- Maxi Kleber (questionable)
Dallas Mavericks Expected Lineup:
- Luka Dončić
- Dante Exum
- Tim Hardaway
- Derrick Jones
- Dereck Lively
Will the Mavericks defeat the Wolves with Luka Dončić in the lineup?
It’s worth noting that in terms of defense in the league, the Timberwolves are among the top 5 with 107.3 points allowed per game. Along with that, the roster is capable of showcasing a decent defense with 113.3 points per game. However, the performance in the home games is a little faded as compared to the road games this season.
Anthony Edwards, although dealing with immense media traction nowadays, isn’t letting distractions impact his box scores. Edwards is averaging 25.2 points per game, with 5.6 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Doncic and Lively II’s defensive production, on the other hand, will turn out to be of epitome importance in this game. ‘Fluka Doncic’ might work his magic in this game as well and break the losing streak.