Mavs Give Luka Doncic 'Much-Needed' Day Off Before Facing Suns
DALLAS — After participating in the festivities of NBA All-Star Weekend in Indianapolis, Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic received a brief period to go on vacation to recharge before returning to lead the team after the break.
The Mavs resumed practicing on Tuesday, but coach Jason Kidd said it would have been "unfair" to make Doncic have only Monday off after playing in the All-Star Game, so he was granted an excused absence but is expected to practice on Wednesday ahead of their matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
“He’s put us in the situation where we are today,” Kidd said of Doncic. “And for him to go to Indiana to enjoy All-Star (weekend), for him to have to come back and practice today, it would have been unfair. Just not a long enough break.
“It’s a much-needed rest," Kidd explained. "And, also now, this is the sprint. We need everyone healthy, and I think we’re going in that direction. And everybody’s ready.”
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Doncic entered the season managing a left quad injury while battling through a right ankle injury before the All-Star break. He's averaged 37.5 minutes per game this season, trailing only DeMar DeRozan overall. However, in recent months, Doncic's workload has often been heightened amid injuries to teammates Kyrie Irving and Dante Exum, even beyond his already typical significant levels.
“We’ve seen him play a lot of minutes, but there are also games when he doesn’t have to play the fourth quarter,” Kidd said. “To win and not have to play in the fourth quarter, we’re doing a lot of good things.”
Doncic has averaged 34.2 points, 9.5 assists, and 8.8 rebounds in 47 games this season, shooting 49.2 percent from the floor, 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 77.7 percent on free throws. For a player who often mentions the importance of "having his legs," gaining needed time off should only help.
The Mavs' matchup against the Suns holds significant importance since it'll determine the tie-breaker in the season series. Dallas holds a 32-23 record, trailing Phoenix's 33-22 record by one game. A win would go a long way in pushing the seventh-ranked Mavs into the top six of the Western Conference standings.
