NBA Rumors: Mavs’ Luka Dončić out at least a week due to strained wrist injury | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić is dealing with a right wrist strain and will be reevaluated in a week, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Charania initially reported that Dončić was “expected to miss time”, the extent of which was unclear.

The five-time All-Star was last sidelined during Dallas’ 121-119 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Nov. 17 due to a right knee contusion.

The minor injury made for a frustrating season for the 8-7 Mavericks and their best player.

Dallas went on a four-game losing streak in November, and the four losses totaled eight points. That sums up how the Mavs, one of the top clutch teams in 2023-2024, may not have Lady Luck on their side this year.

Dončić also performed to his usual standards. He is averaging 28.1 points on 43.5 percent shooting, along with 7.6 rebounds and 7.6 assists.

Those are incredible numbers for almost any other player, but slightly lower than what the 25-year-old has put up in recent seasons. And ultimately, the Mavericks likely need him to perform at an MVP level to have a serious shot at a championship.

Beating the Thunder without Dončić showed that Dallas can survive without him on any given night. PJ Washington stepped up and had a team-high 27 points and 17 rebounds on that occasion, while Kyrie Irving chipped in with 23 points and six assists.

But there is no doubt that the Mavs will need Dončić on the field as they enter a crucial phase of the season. A prolonged absence now also threatens that Dallas will have to give up valuable ground in the playoff race.