Dallas Mavs Downgrade Luka Doncic to Doubtful vs. Golden State Warriors

Mavs superstar Luka Doncic was downgraded from questionable to doubtful against the Warriors.

DALLAS — The Dallas Mavericks initially listed superstar Luka Doncic as questionable to play against the Golden State Warriors in Friday's matchup due to right knee soreness. In the hours leading into the match, he was downgraded to doubtful.

The Mavs will play on the second night of a back-to-back when they take on the Warriors. Doncic overcame early foul trouble and a slow start to help guide Dallas to a 109-95 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday. He recorded 25 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists.

Apr 4, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (77) sets the play against the

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Mavs have already dealt with injuries to crucial bench players Josh Green (right ankle sprain) and Dereck Lively II (right knee sprain), as they've continued to be ruled out. Maxi Kleber (back spasms) was added to the injury report as questionable to play against Golden State.

Golden State three key players listed as questionable to play including Andrew Wiggins (left ankle soreness), Gary Payton II (left ankle soreness), and Jonathan Kuminga (bilateral knee tendonitis).

If Doncic cannot play against the Warriors, Kyrie Irving will emerge as the Mavs' top-scoring option. Irving has appeared in six of the Mavs' nine games without Doncic in 2023-24, averaging 31.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 5.7 rebounds and having a 3-3 record.

The Mavs, with a 46-30 record entering Friday's game, rank fifth in the Western Conference standings. They trail the fourth-ranked Los Angeles Clippers by two games and are ahead of the sixth-ranked Phoenix Suns and seventh-ranked New Orleans Pelicans by one whole game.

The Mavs' upcoming schedule features a Sunday afternoon matinee matchup against the Houston Rockets. Given the importance of the division record for settling tie-breakers, handling a matchup against a fellow Southwest division opponent holds more weight than defeating the Warriors.