PHOENIX — Luka Doncic left the Mavericks’ Thursday night win over the Phoenix Suns after suffering a left ankle sprain.
He did not return to play or to Dallas’ bench.
Coach Jason Kidd said Doncic “was in good spirits” after the victory but did not offer specifics about the 23-year-old All-Star’s status ahead of Saturday’s game against the Jazz.
“He looked good. He looked fine,” Kidd said, “but we’ll see as we go forward here. We’ll have probably more information once we get to Utah.”
Kidd said he spoke with Doncic at halftime and before his postgame press conference.
“He was smiling,” Kidd said, “and he was happy for his teammates, saying DP made some big free throws but then to come up with that missed free throw rebound. Just his grit tonight for DP was at a high level. The character of that team played hard and found a way to win.”
Luka Doncic (left ankle sprain) will not return to tonight’s game in Phoenix, per @MavsPR.
— Callie Caplan (@CallieCaplan) January 27, 2023
Less than four minutes into the game, the 23-year-old superstar started limping after pivoting in the post and stepping on a Suns defender’s foot. Though Doncic didn’t fall to the floor, he immediately grabbed at his left ankle and limped back on defense. Coach Jason Kidd called timeout when the Mavericks regained possession.
Director of player health and performance Casey Smith met Doncic on the court when play stopped and walked with him directly to the locker room.
Doncic has not missed a game to injury this season, sitting out just five of the Mavericks’ first 50 games, all for rest and minor ailment recovery on the second night of back to backs.
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.