Luka Doncic not sure if he's going to play in Game 4
Source: Twitter @DwainPrice
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
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Luka Doncic injury update: Mavericks star doing 5-on-5 work in practice, status uncertain for Game 4 vs. Jazz
https://t.co/5n8MtfHqDo pic.twitter.com/7nmD3KWaMH – 4:20 PM
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Dinwiddie on his dunk over Gobert. Before speaking to reporters Dinwiddie was exchanging trash talk with Doncic about Doncic’s best dunk as a Mav. pic.twitter.com/97OfjPeXv6 – 4:05 PM
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Some Mavs love on ESPN this afternoon:
Kendrick Perkins: “The Jazz should be scared if Luka doesn’t come back. If Luka does come back, they’re dead birds in tall grass.”
Zach Lowe: “Jalen Brunson looks like some combination of Michael Jordan and a running back.” – 3:46 PM
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With the absence of Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Khris Middleton (and the return of Stephen Curry) the playoffs have given betting markets a chance to assess the value of an NBA star.
@JeffFogle on what we’ve learned: https://t.co/MF1HiFnVor pic.twitter.com/Q8LM4vAkaN – 3:45 PM
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Luka Doncic told reporters in Utah that he’s not sure if he’ll play Saturday afternoon, but planned to play some 5-on-5 at practice after the media session. He added that it wasn’t worth the risk to play Game 3. @Dwain Price will have all the details at mavs.com – 3:17 PM
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The Mavs are up 2-1 on the Jazz in this series — without Luka. So does that mean the Mavs will use that as a barometer on whether or not to play Luka in Game 4. Jason Kidd: “Where we are today in the series does not have any effect of if he plays or he doesn’t play.” @NBA pic.twitter.com/UYVaNTzigs – 3:15 PM
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With Luka Doncic out due to injury the Dallas Mavericks looked for a leader. Jalen Brunson took a step up and put the Mavs on his back over 3 Playoff games vs the Jazz. He covers Doncic’s absence and shows his mentality into a leadership role. #dALLasIN
sdna.gr/mpasket/958236… – 3:12 PM
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Jason Kidd was asked if he’s optimistic Luka will play in G4 and Kidd said, “Optimistic? That’s a good word. He’s going in the right direction. He’s listening to the medical. He’s doing all the work. There hasn’t been any setbacks. We’ll see how much he can do today.” – 3:08 PM
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Mavs are practicing right now in SLC. Luka spoke to reporters before and said, “I’m going to practice today and see how it feels. I think after practice we’ll know whether I will play or not.” About not playing last night Luka said, “The risk was too much so that’s why I didn’t.” – 3:01 PM
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After Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic missed the first three games of the playoff series vs. the Utah Jazz, coach Jason Kidd said at Friday’s shootaround that he’s “optimistic” the forward will play Game 4 Saturday. sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20… – 2:52 PM
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Me: Are you going to play tomorrow?
Luka: I don’t know.
Me: What will determine if you play?
Luka: I’m going to practice today, so we’ll see how it feels. I think after practice we’ll know if I’ll play or not.
Me: How you feeling?
Luka: I feel good. I’m feeling better every day. pic.twitter.com/V2D0lT9iMW – 2:50 PM
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Luka Doncic just told us he’s not sure if he’s going to play tomorrow when the Mavs play the Jazz in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series. The Mavs lead the series, 2-1. Doncic has missed all three games with a strained left calf. – 2:39 PM
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Mavs’ star Luka Doncic still game-time decision for Game 4 vs Utah
sportando.basketball/en/mavs-star-l… – 2:24 PM
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Mavericks ‘optimistic’ Luka Doncic (calf injury) will play in Game 4 vs. Utah Jazz dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 2:15 PM
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Luka Doncic addressed the media at Mavericks practice and said he will do some 5-on-5 work today before making a determination on Saturday’s availability. Said he wanted to play in Game 3, but there was too much risk. – 2:07 PM
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Luka Doncic said he’ll do some more 5-on-5 work today in practice (and trash talk Boban) before deciding on Game 4 status.
Calf rehab still in progress, vocal cords in perfect shape. pic.twitter.com/fZuBGEPapF – 2:05 PM
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Luka speaks. Status still up in the air. pic.twitter.com/WF1lbaeEf2 – 2:03 PM
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Mavs coach Jason Kidd says there is no official change to Luka Doncic’s status. He will go through practice today and will be a game-time decision Saturday. – 1:56 PM
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Jason Kidd on Luka Doncic’s Game 4 status: “Optimistic? That’s a good word.” He says Mavs’ 2-1 series lead has no impact on decision about when Doncic returns from calf strain. pic.twitter.com/6Hyood9Cd9 – 1:55 PM
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Luka Doncic’s status for Saturday’s Game 4 remains unofficially unchanged, Mavs coach Jason Kidd said, meaning the Mavericks regard him as a game-time decision.
I reported Friday for @BallySportsSW — before the Game 3 win — that Dallas was planning to play Doncic in Game 4. – 1:55 PM
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About last night, from @Callie Caplan:
Luka-less Mavericks ‘truly believe,’ again land all the right punches to pummel Jazz in Game 3 dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 1:00 PM
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New Locked On #NBA pod @LockedOnNetwork
w/ @Adam Mares
– Warriors death lineup (and why it doesn’t need a nickname)
– Draymond’s defense on Jokic
– Grizzlies comeback
– KAT next-questioning after taking just four shots
– Jazz 🤢
– Luka coming back?
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/war… – 12:12 PM
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In the 20 games that Jalen Brunson has played without Luka. 22.2 pts-7.2 asst on 49.6% FG/36.4% 3pt/81.6% FT – 10:08 AM
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Good morning to everyone stillllll looking for updates about Luka Doncic’s calf strain.
Jason Kidd will talk to reporters around 12:30 p.m. Dallas time *before* the Mavs practice in Vivint Arena.
For once, I’m planning to share updates here when there are updates to share. – 9:32 AM
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The latest In Street Clothes Podcast has dropped! In this week’s episode @BrianSuttererMD and I breakdown the myriad of NBA Playoff injuries including Khris Middleton, Devin Booker, and Luka before talking early trends in the MLB. Check it out! open.spotify.com/episode/1BSUsr… – 7:26 AM
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Luka-less Mavericks ‘truly believe’ and again land all the right punches to pummel Jazz in Game 3 dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 1:07 AM
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honestly, it wouldn’t matter if Luka didn’t even come back this series. – 11:55 PM
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Mavs beat the Jazz 126-118 to take a 2-1 series lead, reclaim home court and snap an 11-game losing streak in Utah.
Dirk Nowitzki hung out with the Jason Kidd and his staff as they broke down the postgame debrief.
Hell of a way to usher in Luka Doncic’s likely Game 4 return. – 11:55 PM
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Spencer Dinwiddie tonight:
20 PTS
5 REB
6 AST
3 STL
The Mavs are up 2-1 without Luka. pic.twitter.com/LkgopUBHzO – 11:51 PM
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Dallas beats Utah 126-118, making it a 2-1 series despite no Doncic.
Mitchell finished with 32, Bogdanovic 24 points on 8-12 FG. Conley added 21.
The big story tonight, though? The complete inability of the Jazz’s perimeter defenders to guard at the point of attack. – 11:50 PM
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Luka Doncic has yet to play a second, but Jalen Brunson has been the best player in this series so far. Mavs take a 2-1 lead with a win in Utah. Jazz are scrambling for solutions. – 11:48 PM
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losing to the mavs without luka twice, once at home – is outrageous. Here comes @Kevin O’Connor!! pic.twitter.com/Ijd9EidL3l – 11:47 PM
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Wouldn’t argue if Dallas opted to sit Doncic in Game 4.
Not like the Mavs need him right now. – 11:43 PM
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Low-key hilarious how it went from “Can the Mavs make it a series without Luka Doncic to give Devin Booker more time?” to “Slow down, Dallas, damn” – 11:42 PM
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Rest up, Luka. Don’t rush back. – 11:42 PM
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I think I just saw Luka Doncic’s first explosive movement post-calf strain.
The bench went absolutely bonkers for that Spencer Dinwiddie dunk on Rudy Gobert. – 10:42 PM
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Mavs lead the Jazz 68-51 at half — without Luka Doncic and with Jalen Brunson getting tossed in a washing machine.
Anyone who says they saw this coming is also a liar. – 10:23 PM
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I mean I guess if you make every 3 you take, who needs Luka? – 10:17 PM
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Luka, I mean, Jalen Brunson, is 21-of-31 from the field in the last 5.5 quarters of this series. – 10:02 PM
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There was a real question going into this series, with Luka out, if the Jazz had the three best players on the floor.
Real question now is do they even have the first? – 10:01 PM
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Hard to blame Bogey for not being able to stay in front of Jalen Brunson.
But it’s emblematic of why the Mavericks should have supreme confidence regardless of whether Luka is playin or not.
Find the mismatch, put your head down, good things will happen. – 9:57 PM
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Josh Green picked a real fun time to hit his first two playoff 3-pointers.
The guys the Mavs wanted to step up most in Luka Doncic’s absence have done exactly that so far in what’s likely Luka’s last absence. – 9:35 PM
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Maxi Kleber out here telling Luka “Take your time. I got this.” – 9:26 PM
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Out here at Goodfriends Beer Garden and Burger House in East Dallas and fans are into the Mavericks-Jazz game. Optimism is high, even with Luka sitting out tonight. Story coming later in the game at mavs.com – 9:22 PM
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Very few thought Brunson would ever be this good.
Related, how incredible is getting Luka and Brunson in the same draft? – 9:21 PM
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Quin Snyder discussed preparing for the @Dallas Mavericks with and without Luka Doncic before Game 3, potentially the last game the @Utah Jazz will see the floor without the superstar.
#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/mu6HnhzG2f – 8:21 PM
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Luka Doncic is out on the Vivint Arena court for a pregame shooting session — and for a good laugh at Peter Patton’s expense when he faked him in the post with a no-look toss and swish. pic.twitter.com/SqwHccEHL4 – 7:49 PM
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Jason Kidd confirms Luka Doncic will not play tonight vs. Jazz: “He continues to progress. We said from the start of his injury we would be cautious, and we feel like sitting him tonight follows that plan.” dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 7:43 PM
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Jason Kidd confirms Luka Doncic is out tonight for the @Dallas Mavericks.
#TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/PGbvSdYFEu – 7:33 PM
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Dallas Mavericks officially rule out Luka Doncic for Game 3 tonight vs Jazz because of his left calf strain – 7:33 PM
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Jazz coach Quin Snyder on Jalen Brunson: “When he’s dribbling the ball, he’s constantly using his feet to get you off balance, and he’s able to use his strength to hold the line and use his body to create space.”
Said Jazz have plan for Luka, but Jalen has shown little dropoff. – 7:32 PM
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Luka will not play tonight. Kidd said Luka is making progress. – 7:32 PM
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Jason Kidd confirms that Luka Doncic will not play.
“We are going to be cautious.” – 7:31 PM
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Luka is out for G3, confirmed by Jason Kidd. – 7:31 PM
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Kidd makes it official: No Doncic. – 7:31 PM
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Luka Doncic is out for game 3 – 7:31 PM
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Mavericks coach Jason Kidd confirms the widespread reports that Luka Doncic is OUT for tonight’s Game 3 vs. the Jazz. – 7:31 PM
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Quin Snyder, asked if Jazz prepared to face Doncic in G3, says “that’s been an undercurrent throughout the series,” then notes the difficulty of facing Brunson-Dinwiddie. pic.twitter.com/Pto6FdUHIJ – 7:28 PM
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Presumably, we’ll hear the official word on Luka when Jason Kidd has his pregamer in about 30 minutes. If he’s out, as is being reported, here’s hoping the Mavericks packed their shooting eyes on the trip to Utah. – 6:59 PM
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Maybe Luka would have recovered from his calf strain by now if he tried… pic.twitter.com/FZsQwzORVU – 6:43 PM
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Injuries really impacting the playoff landscape. Luka reportedly out again for Game 3, now we learn that Milwaukee has lost Khris Middleton until at least the second round and Devin Booker is out for a while for Phoenix. No sure things in this crazy year. – 6:43 PM
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How would this starting five of players injured since April 10th fare in the playoffs – if healthy?
Booker, Luka, Barnes, Middleton, Capela – 6:21 PM
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Luka Doncic out for Game 3 in Utah, expected to return for Game 4 nba.nbcsports.com/2022/04/21/luk… – 6:17 PM
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ESPN story on Dallas star Luka Doncic ruled out for Game 3 vs. Utah tonight: es.pn/3L4jqPF – 6:14 PM
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From @Callie Caplan:
Mavericks star Luka Doncic (calf) out for Game 3 vs. Jazz, source says dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 5:52 PM
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No Luka tonight is official. Jazz -8 is likely to be bet up but Utah has looked awfully vulnerable over the past few weeks. Be patient and you might be able to get Mavs +9 by tip-off. I’ll play a couple of props but passing on Game 3 side and total – 5:51 PM
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Source: Luka Doncic will not play tonight in Mavs’ Game 3 vs. Utah Jazz, confirming @Adrian Wojnarowski‘s first report. dallasnews.com/sports/maveric… – 5:48 PM
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The Mavericks plan to bring Luka Doncic back from injury for Saturday’s Game 4 in Utah after ruling him out for tonight’s Game 3, league sources say.
More series coverage from me via @BallySportsSW
More NBA coverage from me: marcstein.Substack.com – 5:46 PM
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ESPN story on pessimism surrounding Dallas star Luka Doncic’s availability for a return vs. Utah in Game 3 tonight: es.pn/3ECiDTF – 3:22 PM
More on this storyline
Tim MacMahon: Luka Doncic will do some 5-on-5 scrimmaging for the second straight day. He says he doesn’t know yet if he’ll get the green light for Game 4. -via Twitter @espn_macmahon / April 22, 2022 Callie Caplan: Jason Kidd on Luka Doncic’s Game 4 prospects: “Optimistic? That’s a good word. … He’s going in the right direction.” Emphasized Mavs’ 2-1 series lead without Luka doesn’t influence his outlook to return. -via Twitter @CallieCaplan / April 22, 2022 Tim MacMahon: Jason Kidd on Luka Doncic: “He continues to progress, but as we’ve said from the start, we’re going to be cautious with his injury. Sitting him tonight fits with that.” -via Twitter @espn_macmahon / April 21, 2022