NBA Rumors: Luka Doncic Returning This Weekend For Mavericks

 

This season hasn't exactly gone according to form for Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks. The team's franchise player has missed 14 games this year, with a combination of a bad ankle and health and safety protocols. Sources are reporting, however, that he is expected off the Covid list in time for Sunday's game in Oklahoma City.

Mavs are optimistic that Luka Doncic, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber will clear health and safety protocols and re-join the team in Oklahoma City, sources tell ESPN. Mavs went 5-5 without Doncic, who was out with sore ankle and then COVID-19. @TheSteinLine first on Doncic.

— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 1, 2022

Joining Doncic in clearing health and safety protocols, according to the reports, are two other key rotation players in Tim Hardaway Jr. and Maxi Kleber. 

The 21-year-old superstar has missed ten straight games. Doncic had sprained his ankle and missed a handful of games earlier in the season, then re-aggravated it on Dec. 10th, causing him to miss several more games, followed immediately by his positive Covid test. 

Doncic has had a rough season, with his points and three-point shooting down from last season, and he's even himself admitted to being out of shape coming into the season. 

The Mavs were able to stay afloat for the past ten games without him, going 5-5,  thanks in large part to unheralded guard Jalen Brunson, who averaged 21 points and 7.4 assists in his absence. 

Photo Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports