Luka Doncic has been a standout in his inaugural NBA Finals appearance against the Boston Celtics, notably scoring 29 points in a pivotal, game-winning performance last Friday night in Dallas.
Recently, Doncic has frequently appeared on the Mavericks’ injury report due to a thoracic contusion, which is essentially a bruise resulting from a direct blow to the chest area.
In a notable incident on February 3, 2024, during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Doncic appeared to sustain a leg injury while competing for a loose ball against Giannis Antetokounmpo at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
Throughout the playoffs, the Slovenian guard/forward has been impressive, averaging 29.5 points, 8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, with a shooting accuracy of 47% from the field over an average of just under 38 minutes per game.
Despite a dominant 122-84 victory by the Mavericks at the American Airlines Center, the Celtics lead the NBA Finals series 3-1.
Doncic is officially listed as probable for Monday night’s game, with his inclusion on the injury report primarily as a precaution.
In terms of scoring average, Doncic ranks seventh in the NBA playoffs, surpassing the Celtics’ star duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Tatum, ranked 15th, is averaging 24.7 points per game, while Brown, ranked 17th, averages 24.1 points per game.
Fouling out of Game 3 against the Celtics significantly hindered the Mavericks’ comeback efforts. For Dallas to succeed in Game 5, a collective team effort will be crucial, and Doncic may need to deliver his finest performance, especially given Boston’s strong showings at home in Games 1 and 2.
However, Boston has shown vulnerability at home, having lost to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference first round and to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Game 5 is set for Monday night at 8:30 p.m. ET in Boston.
