Fantasy News

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Out Saturday, return date TBD

  Rotowire Feb 3, 2023

  Doncic (heel) will not play Saturday versus the Warriors but could rejoin the team at some point during the five-game road trip, Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News reports. Doncic won't travel to open the road trip and will miss at least Saturday's contest, and it's entirely possible he will miss more than one. News of Doncic rejoining the team at some point during the west coast wing could signal his return to the floor. At this point, the earliest that could happen is Monday in Utah. Spencer Dinwiddie figures to claim the starting point guard job in the interim, with Reggie Bullock, Frank Ntilikina and Josh Green all likely to see more action as well.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Doesn't practice Friday

  Rotowire Feb 3, 2023

  Doncic (heel) didn't participate in Friday's practice session, Tim MacMahon of ESPN.com reports. Doncic exited Thursday's win over the Pelicans due to a bruised right heel and underwent an MRI on Friday. Coach Jason Kidd said he isn't yet sure whether Doncic will be able to play Saturday against the Warriors. The 23-year-old's injury isn't believed to be particularly severe, but it's unclear whether he'll be forced to miss any time. Frank Ntilikina and Jaden Hardy are candidates to see increased playing time if Doncic is sidelined.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Exits early with heel injury

  Rotowire Feb 3, 2023

  Doncic exited early during Thursday's 111-106 win over the Pelicans due to a right heel bruise, and an update on his status is expected to be provided at Mavericks practice Friday, Grant Afseth of DallasBasketball.com reports. He finished the game with 31 points (12-19 FG, 2-7 3Pt, 5-8 FT), eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in 23 minutes. While attempting a layup, Doncic was knocked off balance mid-air and landed awkwardly on his heel before crashing to the floor on his hip. Doncic appeared to be in significant pain, so fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he sits out Saturday's matchup against the Warriors. We'll find out more when the medical staff takes a closer look.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Drops 53 points on Detroit

  Rotowire Jan 31, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) provided 53 points (17-24 FG, 5-11 3Pt, 14-18 FT), eight rebounds, five assists and two steals across 36 minutes during Monday's 111-105 victory over Detroit. In his return from a one-game absence due to a sprained left ankle, Doncic single-handedly carried Dallas to a victory with his NBA-best fourth 50-point performance of the season. Much to the delight of fantasy managers, Doncic showed no sign of rust while making his way back from the injury, and he even delivered his lofty scoring total with better-than-usual efficiency. Given the lack of supporting talent on the roster, the Mavericks will need more virtuoso performances from Doncic to stay competitive in the Western Conference, so the star point guard should continue to light up the box score on a game-by-game basis so long as health prevails.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Back in action Monday

  Rotowire Jan 30, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) will be available for Monday night's game against Detroit. A left ankle sprain forced Doncic out of Thursday's game against Phoenix and kept him in street clothes for Saturday's loss in Utah. However, after undergoing treatment for the last few days, the superstar guard will return to the lineup as the Mavs begin a three-game week. Fantasy managers may want to proceed with some level of caution, though after Monday night Doncic will have the benefit of two days off before Thursday's home matchup against the Pelicans. Prior to the game he was injured, Doncic averaged 32.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 7.6 assists, 0.8 steals and 2.1 threes (29.6% 3Pt) over his previous 10 appearances.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Questionable Monday

  Rotowire Jan 29, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) is questionable for Monday's game against the Pistons. Doncic sat out Saturday's game against the Jazz due to what's being called a mild left ankle sprain, but he'll be in the mix to return following a one-game absence. If he's unavailable once again, Spencer Dinwiddie should continue to operate as the Mavericks' primary point guard, while Frank Ntilikina would likely see increased playing time.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Won't play Saturday

  Rotowire Jan 27, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) has been ruled out for Saturday's game versus the Jazz. Doncic is being viewed through a day-to-day lens, which is a positive development following his departure from Thursday's game against the Suns because of a left ankle sprain. Unfortunately, the sprain will cost him at least one contest, likely placing Spencer Dinwiddie in a prime position to improve his fantasy stat line as the team's primary point guard. Tim Hardaway, Reggie Bullock, Frank Ntilikina and Jaden Hardy are all candidates to also see some added run with Doncic out.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Day-to-day with sprained ankle

  Rotowire Jan 27, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) has been deemed day-to-day with a "mild sprain," Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reports. Doncic exited Thursday's win over the Suns after spraining his ankle early in the first quarter. It's a relief for fantasy managers that the injury isn't severe, and he should tentatively be considered questionable for Saturday's game at Utah. If Doncic is forced to miss any time, coach Jason Kidd could hand more minutes to Frank Ntilikina and Jaden Hardy, though leaning on the starters more may have the most fantasy impact. Notably, Tim Hardaway and Spencer Dinwiddie both saw 40 minutes Thursday.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Exits early with ankle sprain

  Rotowire Jan 26, 2023

  Doncic won't return to Thursday's game against the Suns due to a left ankle sprain. Doncic played just three minutes before departing with the injury, finishing the night with zero points (0-2 FG, 0-1 3Pt), one rebound and no other statistics. With Doncic done for the day, Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway project to handle most of the scoring responsibilities for Dallas the rest of the way, while reserves like Frank Ntilikina, Josh Green and Jaden Hardy could pick up extra minutes. The Mavericks will likely provide an update on the extent of the All-Star point guard's injury after the game, though initial X-rays on his ankle returned negative.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Heads to locker room early

  Rotowire Jan 26, 2023

  Doncic (leg) headed to the locker room early in Thursday's contest against the Suns, Dwain Price of the Mavericks' official site reports. Doncic was forced off the court early in the first quarter after suffering what appeared to be a leg injury. The guard limped straight to the locker room with Josh Green in to replace him. Expect Green, Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway to see increased minutes if Doncic can't return.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Another 40-point game Tuesday

  Rotowire Jan 25, 2023

  Doncic posted 41 points (16-29 FG, 0-4 3Pt, 9-12 FT), 15 rebounds, six assists and one steal in 38 minutes during Tuesday's 127-126 loss to the Wizards. Doncic was unstoppable again Tuesday, dropping at least 40 points for the 10th time this season. At this point, every game is a masterclass, with Doncic simply too crafty for anyone put in front of him. However, the Mavericks have now lost five of their past six games, pushing Dallas down to sixth in the Western Conference standings. Of course, the Mavericks would love to avoid the play-in game, so Doncic is going to need to keep producing big numbers on a game-by-game basis to keep Dallas competitive.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Drills five triples in win

  Rotowire Jan 21, 2023

  Doncic finished with 34 points (12-24 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 5-8 FT), 12 rebounds, seven assists and one steal in 38 minutes Friday in the Mavericks' 115-90 win over the Heat. The five triples were Doncic's most thus far during the 2023 portion of the Mavericks' schedule, as the fifth-year guard had been averaging 1.9 triples on 25 percent shooting over his first seven outings of the new year. Doncic also offered his usual high-volume contributions in the rebounds and assists categories, but the poor free-throw shooting took an even bigger fantasy night off the table. The 23-year-old remains the No. 1 fantasy asset in points leagues for the season, but his 73.1 percent mark from the charity stripe on 11.2 attempts per game bumps his value down several spots in eight- and nine-category leagues.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Struggles after big first quarter

  Rotowire Jan 19, 2023

  Doncic contributed 30 points (9-19 FG, 2-8 3Pt, 10-12 FT), four rebounds and eight assists over 39 minutes during Wednesday's 130-122 loss to Atlanta. Doncic got off to a phenomenal start, going 6-of-7 from the field for 19 points in the first quarter, including 6-of-6 from the free-throw line. However, he struggled from that point on, knocking down just three of 12 shot attempts between the second and fourth quarters for another 11 points as Dallas suffered its third consecutive loss. Doncic still tied Dejounte Murray with a game-high 30 points but added a game-high seven turnovers, which proved to be costly for the Mavericks down the stretch. His four rebounds on the night were also the fewest he's recorded in a game since Oct. 30.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Will play Wednesday

  Rotowire Jan 18, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) is available for Wednesday's game against the Hawks. As expected, Doncic will be available Wednesday after initially being listed as probable with left ankle soreness. The MVP candidate missed Dallas' previous contest due to the issue, but it was the second half of a back-to-back set, which has been a customary rest spot for him this season. Expect Doncic, who's averaging 33.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 8.8 assists in 37.4 minutes per game, to handle his usual workload against the Hawks.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Probable Wednesday

  Rotowire Jan 17, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) is considered probable for Wednesday's game versus the Hawks. Doncic looks set to make his return following a one-game absence in the second contest of a back-to-back set versus Portland. The star point guard is averaging 31.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 8.5 assists over 40.6 minutes per game in January and will likely be called on for a heavy workload again with McKinley Wright (foot) set to sit Wednesday.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Won't play Sunday

  Rotowire Jan 15, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers. Doncic was limited to a season-low 15 points Saturday against Portland and will be unavailable for the second half of the back-to-back set, marking the fifth consecutive time he's sat out the second half of a back-to-back set. Jaden Hardy and McKinley Wright are candidates to see increased playing time Sunday.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Dealing with ankle soreness

  Rotowire Jan 15, 2023

  Doncic is questionable for Sunday's game against the Trail Blazers due to left ankle soreness. Doncic scored a season-low 15 points during Saturday's loss to Portland and is questionable for the second half of Dallas' back-to-back set. Seeing as the MVP candidate has sat out the second half of four straight back-to-backs, it's safe to assume Doncic is trending toward sitting out Sunday night. Regardless, fantasy managers should confirm Doncic's availability before locking in lineups.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Held to season-low 15 points

  Rotowire Jan 15, 2023

  Doncic produced 15 points (7-19 FG, 0-5 3Pt, 1-6 FT), 10 assists, six rebounds, one block and one steal in 36 minutes during Saturday's 136-119 loss to Portland. Due to the blowout nature of the contest, head coach Jason Kidd eventually pulled Doncic in the fourth quarter, which played a part in the star point guard's decreased stat line. However, Doncic still played 36 minutes, so his poor shooting from the field and free-throw line were the bigger causes of his underwhelming night. The Trail Blazers controlled every facet of the game and despite recording another double-double, Doncic couldn't stem the tide.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Comes up clutch in thriller

  Rotowire Jan 13, 2023

  Doncic closed Thursday's 119-115 double-overtime victory over the Lakers with 35 points (14-28 FG, 4-9 3Pt, 3-7 FT), 14 rebounds, 13 assists, one block and one steal in 53 minutes. Doncic putting up eye-popping numbers has become an expectation at this point, and Thursday's triple-double was his fourth over his past eight contests. What made his performance against the Lakers especially memorable was his clutch shooting down the stretch -- Doncic hit a three-pointer with six seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime, then hit another triple with under a minute left in the first extra period to push the Mavericks to double-OT, where they ultimately pulled out the victory. There are few superlatives that haven't already been used to describe Doncic's play this season, as he's elevated his game to historic levels, becoming the first player in NBA history to average at least 40 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists over a 10-game span, per ESPN. On the campaign, the superstar point guard is averaging 34.3 points, 9.0 boards, 8.8 dimes, 2.9 three-pointers and 1.6 steals across a career-high 37.5 minutes per game.

  ... See More ... See Less

• Mavericks' Luka Doncic: Recovers after slow start

  Rotowire Jan 11, 2023

  Doncic (ankle) totaled 43 points (12-22 FG, 3-9 3Pt, 16-21 FT), 11 rebounds, seven assists and two steals across 43 minutes during Tuesday's 113-101 loss to the Clippers. Doncic took a bit to warm up after missing the Mavericks' previous game Sunday in Oklahoma City with left ankle soreness, but he roared back with 20 points in the fourth quarter, placing the Mavericks within striking distance. He had two key three-pointers to narrow the gap further late in the game, but it wasn't enough to overcome a brilliant night from Kawhi Leonard. Doncic and company have an intriguing matchup against the Lakers Thursday, when Doncic will likely line up opposite LeBron James (ankle).

  ... See More ... See Less