Mavericks’ Luka Doncic ruled out vs. Timberwolves with calf strain

DALLAS — Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic exited the team’s Christmas Day game against the Minnesota Timberwolves late in the second quarter because of a left calf strain.

Doncic was ruled out for the remainder of the game during halftime.

Doncic, who recently missed two games because of a left heel contusion, grimaced in pain when he planted that foot after picking up his dribble. He immediately looked toward the Mavs’ bench and indicated he was injured.

Doncic wasn’t able to get back on defense on the ensuing possession and hobbled straight to the locker room to be evaluated after Dallas called a timeout with 2:31 remaining in the half.

Doncic scored 14 points in 16 minutes against Minnesota. He entered the game averaging 28.8 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.1 assists per game.

Doncic has a history of injuries to that calf. Most recently, he missed all of this year’s training camp and preseason because of a left calf contusion. This is the third time Doncic has strained the calf in recent years. He missed the first three games of the 2022 playoffs after straining it during the regular-season finale and was sidelined for most of preseason last year after straining it during a practice in Madrid.

Doncic, a first-team All-NBA selection the past five seasons, has already missed eight games this season.