Mavs Donuts BREAKING: Luka Doncic Out for Game 1? Kleber Playoffs X-Factor?
The start of Saturday's Game 1 in the series involving the Dallas Mavericks and Utah Jazz is approaching. As we entered the day, it remained to be seen if Luka Doncic will be available to play as he recovers from his calf strain. The Mavs and their opponents are preparing for all possibilities. ... and now we may have bad Dallas news.
On today's Mavs Donuts, we focus on the latest surrounding injuries ahead of Game 1, perspective on both the Mavericks and Jazz ahead of Game 1, Utah having something to prove, and much, much more.
Donut 1: Latest on Doncic's Injury Recovery
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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Going into Thursday afternoon, there hadn't been substantial injury updates surrounding Luka Doncic's status for Game 1 of the Mavericks vs. Jazz series. He's been seen riding the exercise bike and is in "good spirits." More will be known closer to Saturday's game, but Kidd remains optimistic.
“Same as yesterday,” Kidd said. “As you guys saw, he was riding the (stationary) bike.
“He’s in good spirits, so we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. Externally, he looks the same.”
But ... on Thursday afternoon, Shams writes, "Mavericks star Luka Doncic is expected to miss Game 1 vs. Jazz on Saturday night due to strained calf.''
"Expected to'' isn't the same as "100-percent out.'' But it's problematic.
Donut 2: Maxi Kleber X-Factor?
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David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Aside from Doncic, the injury recovery of Maxi Kleber is an important one for the Mavericks. He missed the team's final four regular season games due to ankle soreness. With the importance of perimeter shooting against the Jazz, his status has been key to monitor.
When asked about how he's feeling, Kleber stated he's "definitely 100 percent better."
Donut 3: Kleber Looking to Bounce-Back
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Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Kleber struggled to convert on 3s significantly before he began being sidelined for the Mavericks' final four regular season games. After shooting 21.4 percent on 3s over his last ten games, will he be ready to get it done against the Jazz?
“I don’t want to look for excuses,” Kleber said. “Obviously, I’m the type of person when my shot is not going well I’m going into the gym and I’m getting up as many reps as I can, but I was limited because I couldn’t shoot because it just flared up again. So, do I want to play or do I want to practice? I had to find a mix.
“I think I can affect the game in many other ways – not just shooting. Obviously, I want to make my shots, and I didn’t shoot the ball well this year. But I think I can still affect the game in many ways to help the team, but now I’ve just got to make shots.”
Donut 4: Brunson, Dinwiddie Will Be Keys
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
A lot of attention has been placed on Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie when discussing the Mavericks ahead of Saturday's Game 1. Whether Doncic plays or not, they will be relied upon significantly.
“Even if (Doncic) plays, there’s times when he’s not on the floor with those two and they have a job to do and we’re going to need them to do it at a high level no matter if he plays or not,” Kidd said. “But just like being sick, Covid, injury, when you’re told right before tipoff someone can’t go, late scratch, these are pros, so they’ll be ready no matter if Luka can go or not go.”
Donut 5: Gobert with Something to Prove
After underachieving in the playoffs throughout the last few years, the Jazz want to go out and prove themselves. Until then, Gobert doesn't blame people for overlooking his team given their lack of meaningful achievement.
“We’ve got to prove it, we’ve got to earn it,” Gobert said. “I don’t blame people for overlooking us until we accomplish something.”
Donut 6: Finney-Smith Looking Forward to Jazz Defense
Call it bulletin board material, or knowing the scouting report... or both? Dorian Finney-Smith is looking forward to the idea of the Mavericks deploying small ball lineups so he can get up 3s while Gobert is hanging out near the paint.
“I don’t know, we’ll see,” Finney-Smith said. “If they do, then I’m probably going to get a bunch of 3s.”
Donut 7: Jazz Healthy Entering Playoffs
In recent years, the Jazz have dealt with injuries to key players ahead of their playoff opener. While the Mavericks await to see if Doncic will be available for Game 1, Utah is free of injury to their top players.
“It’s huge. I mean, it’s huge. That’s why we put so much emphasis on taking care of ourselves,” Gobert said. “Also, we know it’s not about one game or two games — it’s about who’s getting better throughout the playoffs, too. … For us that’s our mindset — just taking care of ourselves and be able to be physically and mentally ready to do it longer than the other team. Obviously, you can’t always control that, but you can control a big part of it.”
Donut 8: With or Without Luka, Scalabrine Takes Mavs
Former NBA player Brian Scalabrine originally predicted the Mavericks to defeat the Jazz in five games before Doncic's injury. He went a step further to say he's taking the Mavericks even if "Luka doesn't play a single minute."
Donut 9: Zach Lowe Picks Doncic for All-NBA First-Team
Doncic has already earned consecutive All-NBA First-Team nods and after his performance in the 2021-22 regular season, he very well could make it three-in-a-row. ESPN's Zach Lowe picked him alongside Devin Booker as the starting backcourt for All-NBA First-Team.
Donut 10: Stop if You've Heard This One Before...
Former Mavericks star Kristaps Porzingis recently expressed his belief that he's only realized "60 percent, 65 percent" of his potential as a player.
“I think I am about, I would say, 60%, 65% of my potential where I can be, so I still have a good way to go — that’s how I look at it,” Porzingis said. “For me, it’s going to be continuity. Health, continuity on the court and I feel like that’s going to take me to the place where I want it to be.”
Donut 11: NBA Play-In Tournament Results
On Wednesday, the action of the NBA play-in tournament continued with the Atlanta Hawks and New Orleans Pelicans achieving victories. Now, the Charlotte Hornets and San Antonio Spurs begin their offseason.
With the eighth seed on the line, the final games of the play-in will be on Friday. In those games, the Pelicans will take on the LA Clippers while the Hawks will face off against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Donut 12: What's Going on with Zion Williamson, Ben Simmons?
There are a few NBA stars that have been recovering from injuries for quite some time, but could offer some serious implications on the results of the playoffs if they were to return. Zion Williamson and Ben Simmons sit atop the list of names.
Speculation of a potential return for Williamson was sparked by him throwing down a 360 windmill dunk before Wednesday's play-in matchup between the Pelicans and Spurs.
Simmons is still recovering from his disc injury, but there's increased optimism regarding a potential mid-series return against the Boston Celtics in the first-round of the playoffs.
