It's questionable whether the Mavericks' top star will be able to play in Game 2 of the NBA Finals.
Luka Doncic's availability was downgraded from “probable” to “questionable” just hours before Sunday's game, the Mavericks announced. Sunday's injury report added a chest contusion to Doncic's list of existing ailments.
It's unclear when Doncic suffered the chest contusion, but he was seen grabbing his chest and rib cage during practice on Saturday.
Doncic was on the Mavericks' injured list for most of the postseason because of a right knee sprain and sore left ankle. The knee sprain occurred in Game 3 of the Mavericks' first-round win over the Clippers.
Doncic told reporters he was “not feeling great” after suffering a knee sprain in late April, but he has yet to miss a game in the playoffs this season and is averaging 28.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game in the playoffs.
Doncic was arguably the lone bright spot for the Mavericks offense in the Celtics' 107-89 Game 1 victory. He made 12 of 26 shots (including 4 of 12 3-pointers) for 30 points and 10 rebounds, but had just one assist, the lowest of his playoff career, and had just six assist opportunities. He also scored 30 or more points in two regular-season games against the Celtics, averaging 35 points, 15 rebounds and 12 assists in those two games.
If Doncic misses Game 2 on Sunday, the Celtics will have avoided facing one of their opponent's top two scorers for the fourth straight series. The Celtics opened the season against the Heat but did not face Jimmy Butler. Donovan Mitchell missed two games in the second round against the Cavaliers. Tyrese Haliburton also missed two games in the Celtics' sweep of the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.
The Celtics have also been plagued by significant injuries in this season's playoffs, but they will be at full strength for the NBA Finals with Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup after missing 10 games with a soleus injury. No one is on Boston's injured list, and Porzingis is expected to come off the bench again in Game 2 after scoring 20 points in Game 1.
After Game 2 on Sunday, Doncic will have two days of rest before each game except Game 4, allowing him extra rest. The Celtics will look to take a 2-0 series lead into Sunday.
Loading…
