Luka suffers calf strain during Mavs' final regular-season game
Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic left Sunday's regular-season finale against the San Antonio Spurs after suffering a left calf strain in the third quarter, the team announced.
He did not return to Dallas' 130-120 victory.
Despite the untimely injury, optimism exists that the ailment isn't significant, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
After making a midair pass out of a Spurs double team, Doncic began to relocate to the perimeter when he suddenly pulled up in discomfort. He later signaled for the team to call a time out before limping to the locker room with assistance.
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At the time of his exit, Dallas led San Antonio 94-76 with 2:24 remaining in the third quarter. The Slovenian recorded 26 points, nine assists, eight rebounds, two steals, and a block in 29 minutes.
The Mavericks will open the 2022 postseason against the Utah Jazz at 1 p.m. ET on Saturday.
With nearly an entire week off before their next game, head coach Jason Kidd said he was trying to give his Mavericks players, including Doncic, their usual minutes when the star sustained the injury, according to the Dallas Morning News' Callie Caplan.
"Haven't talked to medical (staff) or Luka," Kidd said, courtesy of The Athletic's Dorothy J. Gentry. "Will know more tomorrow and go from there. I thought he was cramping. Won't know yet."
Doncic was initially set to miss Sunday's finale due to suspension after picking up his 16th technical foul of the season in Dallas' last game against the Portland Trail Blazers. However, the NBA rescinded the penalty Saturday.