The NBA regular season for the Dallas Mavericks is just over a week away, generating excitement across the DFW metroplex.
Dallas has already hosted two home preseason games recently, giving fans a glimpse of this year’s team dynamics. Klay Thompson had a strong debut, Dereck Lively II appears to have made significant progress, and Kyrie Irving has alleviated concerns about his summer hand injury. However, fans are still waiting to see Luka Doncic on the court.
Doncic sustained a calf contusion just before training camp began. Although he participated in part of the first day, he has been sidelined since. Given his past issues with calf injuries, there were concerns, but it seems this one won’t keep him out much longer.
After Wednesday’s practice, head coach Jason Kidd reported that Doncic participated fully, indicating he is likely to play in the Mavericks’ season opener against the San Antonio Spurs next Thursday.
Kidd mentioned that Doncic probably wouldn’t play in the preseason finale against the Milwaukee Bucks, but this update is encouraging. There have been limited updates on Doncic’s injury over the past couple of weeks, so his full participation in practice is a positive sign for the regular season.
There didn’t appear to be major concerns about Doncic’s availability for the opener, but his successful practice demonstrates his recovery progress.
The Mavericks are significantly better with Doncic on the court, and starting the season without him would have been challenging. The team’s success heavily relies on his health, especially with several new players joining the roster.
Having Doncic back will enhance the offensive potential of players like Lively II and Thompson, especially after Thompson’s recent struggles against the LA Clippers. Doncic is expected to create many open opportunities for Thompson when they play together, and both players are eager to collaborate this season.
While an official update on Doncic’s status for opening night will come next week, it seems his calf issues are behind him, and he should be ready to suit up at the American Airlines Center on October 24.
