Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Expected to play in exhibition
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Doncic (ankle/knee/chest) is expected to play in Slovenia's exhibition against Brazil on Friday, Grant Afseth of SI.com reports.
Slovenia's roster hasn't been finalized, so Doncic's availability hasn't been confirmed. However, the NBA superstar is expected to play after sitting out a match against Lithuania on Tuesday. Friday's game is Slovenia's final preparation before the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Greece, which starts July 2. Doncic dealt with multiple injuries during Dallas' run to the NBA Finals, so Slovenia is expected to monitor his workload during the Olympics.
Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Leads all scorers in Finals series
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Doncic ended Monday's 106-88 loss to the Celtics in Game 5 of the NBA Finals with 28 points (12-25 FG, 2-9 3Pt, 2-5 FT), 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals across 43 minutes.
Despite losing the series 4-1, Doncic was spectacular for the Mavericks in the NBA Finals. The five-time All-Star dealt with a litany of injuries throughout the playoffs, including a thoracic contusion, a right knee sprain and left ankle soreness, but still led all players in scoring in the Finals. Across five NBA Finals games, Doncic averaged 29.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals while shooting 47.2 percent from the field. The 25-year-old did struggle from deep, shooting only 24.4 percent, and he was also seen as a defensive liability at times. However, Doncic and the Mavericks will look to build off their strong season and run it back next year, as he now has NBA Finals experience under his belt.
Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Gets green light for Game 5
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Doncic (thoracic contusion) is available for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.
Doncic is dealing with a thoracic contusion, but he has been upgraded from probable to available ahead of Monday's Game 5. The All-Star will lead the Mavericks into Boston as Dallas looks to cut the series deficit to 3-2 and come back from down 3-0, a feat that has never been accomplished in NBA Finals history. Doncic has been solid throughout the series, averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes while shooting 47.0 percent from the field.
Doncic (thoracic contusion) is listed as probable for Monday's Game 5 of the NBA Finals versus the Celtics.
Doncic has been a mainstay on the injury report in the playoffs, but with the Mavericks' NBA Finals hopes in jeopardy, his status seems to be nothing more than precautionary. Through four NBA Finals games, the All-Star is averaging 29.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals across 37.8 minutes. Doncic has struggled from deep, shooting just 25.0 percent from three. However, he is still shooting an efficient 47.0 percent from the field this series.
