Dallas Mavericks optimistic Luka Doncic won’t miss much time

DALLAS – Left ankle injury due to Mavericks protect superstar Luka Doncic is “not too serious,” a source told ESPN.

Doncic is expected to sit out Wednesday’s game against Phoenix Suns, but Mavs is optimistic he won’t be sidelined for a long time, sources said.

Doncic injured his ankle with 44 seconds left in last Monday’s win Denver Nuggets after checking a drive change by guard Austin Rivers, who fell at Doncic’s feet.

Doncic immediately hobbled to an empty yard, sat down and clutched his left ankle before hobbling into the changing room.

Doncic was unavailable for post-match media coverage as he was undergoing treatment for his ankle.

The Mavs didn’t practice Tuesday before departing for a four-game road trip with a pair of two-game sets with the Phoenix Suns and LA Clippers.

Doncic has a history of ankle sprains. He missed a total of 11 games during the 2019-20 season due to a sprained right ankle. He played the last three games of the Mavs’ 2020 playoff series despite spraining his left ankle.

Doncic, the first team pick at the All-NBA for the past two years, is averaging 24.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game for the 9-4 Mavs.