The MVP candidate was forced to leave the first game after taking a hit in the first half. The Mavericks guard has been dealing with a knee issue for some weeks.
OKLAHOMA CITY Guard Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks was listed as a player on his right knee injury report, although he participated in the first game.
Since late April, while playing for the Los Angeles Clippers, Doncic has been struggling with a damaged right knee. On April 28, he was listed as questionable due to right knee pain on the official injury report. This was prior to Game 4, in which Doncic lost after recording a triple-double on 29-10-10. Doncic’s right knee injury was disclosed by Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd two days later, on April 30.
Despite suffering a right knee injury, Doncic participated in all six games of the series against the Clippers.
Doncic’s knee was once again listed as injured prior to Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but it was determined that he was well enough to play. Doncic went down early in the game and hobbled all over the court. Doncic made no space for excuses when he was questioned about his knee and his play in the opening game.
“Whatever, we lost,” Doncic remarked. “All we can do is proceed to the following one. We must improve.
Doncic stated that OKC is a fantastic defensive team and that “it is not going to be easy at all,” meaning they must play well and with concentration for the full 48 minutes.
Doncic was mostly guarded by Lu Dort, with limited involvement from freshman Cason Wallace and harassment around the rim by 6-foot-1 center Holmgren.
Dort is among the league’s greatest perimeter defenders, and Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he performed his job.
Daigneault remarked, “He is just a fighter.” He always provides juice at night. Doncic is a fantastic player and a really difficult opponent, but he was not at his best today. He will play more skillfully than he does today. Lu was being quite critical of him. I believe that our group put a lot of difficulty on him.
Oklahoma City will host the second game on Thursday night.