The Dallas Mavericks plan to bring star Luka Doncic back in Saturday’s Game 4 at Utah. Doncic has missed three games thus far in the first-round series.
The decision to wait for Game 4 comes after Dallas managed to win Game 2 at home versus Utah. Behind a 41-point outburst from guard Jalen Brunson, Dallas pulled off a comeback win to avoid an 0-2 series deficit.
In his report, Stein noted “Doncic has made considerable progress this week in his recovery from a left calf strain. [Doncic has been] partaking in more basketball activity Tuesday and Wednesday than initially hoped — but Dallas decides to wait until Game 4.”
Dallas’ patience is likely due to the success of their roster in Doncic absence. Dallas played two close games against the Utah Jazz in the first two games of the series. After losing Game 1 99-93, the play of Brunson and shooting of Maxi Kleber helped the Dallas Mavericks take Game 2 110-104.
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The Mavericks are certainly hoping to win Game 3. This report illustrates, though, that they are willing to concede Game 3 to Utah in order to ensure Luka Doncic will come back fully healthy. Even with a Game 3 loss, Dallas is assuming Doncic will return in Game 4 and manage a win. The Mavericks would return home in a 2-2 series with home-court advantage restored, should that happen.
The winner of the series will go on to face either the 8th seed Pelicans or the injury-depleted Suns. The Phoenix Suns recently learned their star Devin Booker could miss 2-3 weeks.
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The Utah Jazz or Dallas Mavericks could have an easier-than-expected path to the Conference Finals, adding to the importance of each game.
Game 3 will be played Thursday, April 21st at 9:00 PM ET in Utah.
