SALT LAKE CITY – Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic will miss a game in Utah on Saturday after spraining his left ankle during the opener of a two-game trip against Phoenix.
Doncic’s absence leaves the Mavericks without their top two scorers. Christian Wood is recovering from a broken left thumb.
The Mavericks went on to a 99-95 victory over the Suns on Thursday despite Doncic’s early exit in the first quarter. Spencer Dinwiddie had a season-high 36 points.
Doncic tried to move close to the basket against Phoenix’s Cam Johnson but kicked Mikal Bridges on the foot before passing the ball and limping away. Coach Jason Kidd took a time out and Doncic slowly walked into the dressing room.
It’s the first time the 6-foot-7 guard has been out through injury this season. Doncic missed five games on the second night of the back-to-backs, four of them citing injury recovery as the reason.
Doncic, who is neck and neck with Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid for the NBA leadership, has just been selected to the All-Star Team for the fourth year in a row.
The 23-year-old Doncic averages 33 points, 8.9 rebounds and 8.4 assists.
Dallas will also be without striker Maxi Kleber, who has been out since early December with a torn muscle in his right thigh.
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