How long is Luka Doncic out? Thigh injury timeline, return date, latest updates on Mavericks star

Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic may be hobbled down the season’s stretch run.

As Dallas has worked to stay within the Western Conference’s top six teams, Doncic has been limited by visible pain in his left leg. During the Mavericks’ March 8 visit to New Orleans, the discomfort was enough to end Doncic’s night early.

As one of the league’s premier talents, Doncic is a major part of who the Mavericks are. How much will this setback limit him and how will it impact Dallas moving forward?

Here is what we know about Doncic’s injury.

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What is Luka Doncic’s injury?

After initially playing hobbled against the Pelicans, the Mavericks shared that Doncic’s night would end early due to a left thigh strain.

Luka Dončić (left thigh strain) will not return to tonight’s game in New Orleans.

— Mavs PR (@MavsPR) March 9, 2023

While Doncic did not appear on the injury report ahead of the game, he appeared limited physically from the beginning. Here is the play in which he appears to aggravate the thigh injury.

Luka playing through the pain. pic.twitter.com/55H7WYNKNF

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 9, 2023

This season, Doncic is averaging a league-high 33.4 points per game to go along with 8.7 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game, which ranks sixth in the NBA.

How long will Luka Doncic be out?

Whether or not Doncic misses time due to the injury will depend on the severity of his thigh strain.

He is set to undergo an MRI tomorrow, and according to ESPN’s Andrew Lopez, when asked how he was feeling, Doncic replied “not good.”  

Luka Doncic said the plan is to get an MRI tomorrow on his left thigh strain.

Asked immediately after the game how he was feeling and said “not good.”

Was favoring the left leg slightly as he walked in for media. Said everyone will know more tomorrow after he gets imaging done.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) March 9, 2023

Doncic has been playing through the injury as of late, telling reporters on March 5 that it has been bothering him “for the past week.” 

“It’s just the strength,” Doncic said of his thigh following a loss to the Suns on March 5. “When I try to shoot or jump, I feel like this leg is a little bit weaker. Pain-wise it’s a little bit but it’s not too bad.”

Here are Dallas’ next five games:

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