Mavs Donuts: Doncic Injury Watch Latest; Dallas Prepares For Jazz
The Dallas Mavericks continue to prepare for Game 1 of their first-round playoff matchup against the Utah Jazz. There's still a lack of clarity on Luka Doncic's availability as he recovers from a calf injury, but the team is preparing for all possibilities.
On today's Mavs Donuts, we focus on Doncic's ongoing injury recovery, Spencer Dinwiddie looking to step up if Doncic is unable to play, Jason Kidd winning Coach of the Month, and much, much more.
Donut 1: Woj Reports Bleak Game 1 Outlook
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
During an appearance on ESPN's "NBA Today," Adrian Wojnarowski reported there's significant concern surrounding Doncic's availability for Game 1.
"There's a lot of concern about how quickly in this playoff series Luka Doncic will be available against Utah. I'm told if this was the regular season, you wouldn't even be talking about Luka Doncic playing games this weekend. But this is the postseason.
Donut 2: Dinwiddie Optimistic About Doncic's Injury
David Berding-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
After Tuesday's practice, Spencer Dinwiddie told reporters he hasn't received any indication from the Mavericks that Doncic will be unable to play in Game 1. Dinwiddie remains confident in Doncic's chances.
“I haven’t gotten any indication that he won’t be (playing), so I’m preparing as if he will be,” Dinwiddie said. “They haven’t told us anything. They haven’t said be ready.
“He seems solid to me. He doesn’t seem like a guy who is going to miss too much time if any.”
Donut 3: Doncic Getting Work on Bike
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Between reacting to a walking boot photo and waiting for the next injury update, the latest in the Luka Doncic calf strain saga has arrived. He was seen using the exercise bike alongside Maxi Kleber at the Mavericks' practice facility in part of the time allowed for media to see.
Donut 4: Kidd Named West Coach of Month
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA announced the recipients of the Coach of the Month for March and April in the Eastern and Western Conferences on Tuesday. Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka and Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd were named the winners.
The last Mavericks coach to win Western Conference Coach of the Month was Rick Carlisle back in 2011. Kidd previously earned this award three times when he was in the Eastern Conference.
Donut 5: Next Mavs Up? Breaking Down Non-Doncic Options
It might not be possible for one person to replicate Doncic's Herculean workload. He leads the team in four key stats: 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 1.2 steals.
Luckily, the Mavs do have several good options to rally together if Doncic misses a game or two. They will need to develop a next-man-up mentality.
Donut 6: Kidd Prepared for Either Outcome
With the Mavericks possibly being without Doncic for Game 1 of their series against the Jazz, they must prepare for all possibilities. Kidd is confident in Dinwiddie's impact if Doncic is unable to play.
“If we had to play without Luka, with Spencer being able to come in and fill that void, we’re not asking him to be Luka,” Kidd said. “But we’re asking him to be himself.
“We feel confident if he has to start, that’s what we’ll do. But no matter who we roll out there to start or who’s going to play in that game, we’ll be ready and prepared, and it’s about executing.”
Donut 7: Dinwiddie Ready to Step Up
Dinwiddie totaled 62 points in the two games he's played as a member of the Mavericks with Doncic sidelined. He's ready to step up and shoulder more of the responsibility on offense if Doncic is sidelined for Game 1.
“The couple of games that (Doncic) hasn’t played and I’ve been in there, my usage goes way up,” Dinwiddie said. “I just try to continue to make plays and be aggressive, but just understand that it’s probably 30 pick-and-rolls versus 10.
“Obviously, everybody gets more possessions, of course. I’ll probably approach it similarly to when (Doncic) wasn’t playing before. I know my usage will be up, like I said, but it’s a team effort. I don’t expect to shoulder the load completely.”
Donut 8: Brunson on 'Next Man Up' Mentality
Brunson made it clear the Mavericks are ready to embrace a 'next man up' mentality if their top five player in the NBA is unable to play in Game 1 of their first-round series.
“I think it’s a next man’s up mentality,” Brunson said. “A player like Luka, he’s a generational talent, a top five player in the league, he does everything he wants on the court. I think for us we’re going to have to step up and find a way to win.”
Donut 9: Focus Remains on Game 1, Not Injuries
While the Mavericks understand they are not a better team without Doncic in the lineup, the need to win Game 1 remains. Dinwiddie feels the team has enough to still defeat the Jazz.
“We want to win,” he said. “We all know our assignment, whether (Doncic is) in or whether he’s out. We’ve got to go out there and execute.
“You don’t lose a player of that caliber and get better, obviously, but we feel like we have enough on this roster to win games. There isn’t a rallying cry. It’s all about winning Game 1 and progressing in the series.”
Donut 10: Kidd Reacts to Vogel Firing
Kidd was a member of Frank Vogel's coaching staff when the Los Angeles Lakers won the 2020 NBA Finals. Vogel was fired on Monday, and Kidd shared his reaction to the news.
“That’s tough,” Kidd said. “In this business things like that happen. But to be with Frank for two years, to win a championship and to learn a lot from him in those two years, I think he’ll be a coach in this league pretty quickly.
“But things happen for whatever reason. Unfortunately, he had to fall on the sword yesterday.”
Donut 11: Kleber Still Recovering
Maxi Kleber missed the Mavericks' final four regular season games due to ankle soreness. He has participated in individual workouts ahead of Game 1 as he works his way back.
“He had an individual workout today, which that was really good,” Kidd said. “We’ll see tomorrow how he feels.”
Donut 12: NBA Play-In Tournament Action
The Brooklyn Nets and Minnesota Timberwolves each came away with a win in the NBA play-in tournament on Tuesday.
Next up, the Atlanta Hawks and Charlotte Hornets will face off in the Eastern Conference No. 9 and No. 10 matchup. The San Antonio Spurs and New Orleans Pelicans will face off for the Western Conference matchup.
