The Dallas Mavericks open their playoff account this Saturday with a huge home game against the Utah Jazz. But they’ll be without their all-world guard Luka Doncic when they welcome the Jazz to the American Airlines Center.
ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported a short while ago that Doncic has been ruled out for tomorrow’s Game 1. His status for Game 2 next week isn’t looking great either.
The Mavericks went 44-21 in games Doncic started this past year. They were just 8-9 in the 17 games he missed. Suffice it to say, his presence has a huge factor in wins and losses.
Mavs fans are understandably upset with the news right now. Some believe that they might be at risk for being swept if Doncic doesn’t return quickly.
We knew this was coming, still hurts. https://t.co/yIVOaQScpV pic.twitter.com/OexQhhwAbn
— raphael (@DoncicForThree) April 15, 2022
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I’d be surprised if he plays at all this series. I’ve felt that way from the day the regular season ended. It’s unfortunate for Luka and the Mavs. https://t.co/BZ4Bj1xfbt
— Dunzo (@Dunzod) April 15, 2022
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Mavs on broom service alert early 😭😭😭 https://t.co/uvo7arwZ5H
— CASPER (@TheOnenOnly_3) April 15, 2022
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Others are ready to take their anger out on head coach Jason Kidd for how he handled Doncic late in the year:
I don’t want to overreact to one game but if this leads to the jazz advancing then Cuban should be forced to sell the team and Jason Kidd should be feathered and possibly tarred https://t.co/fx5zbngPDP
— Trill Withers (@TylerIAm) April 15, 2022
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Jason Kidd should’ve taking Luka out after the 1st half.
— x – Frankie Jay 🇺🇸 🇲🇽 ♒️ (@FrankieJay__) April 15, 2022
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Luka Doncic made his third straight All-Star Game appearance this past year, averaging 28.4 points, 9.1 rebounds and 8.7 assists over 65 games.
Few people in the NBA can take over a game quite like the Slovenian superstar. And they’ve enjoyed three straight trips to the playoffs in large part due to his efforts.
But the Mavericks have not gotten out of the first round of the playoffs since winning the NBA title in 2011. It’s going to be tough to make any headway against a talented Utah Jazz team with or without him.
Can the Mavs beat the Jazz without Luka Doncic?
The post Luka Doncic Won’t Play This Weekend: Fans React appeared first on The Spun.