The Dallas Mavericks were 26-31 at the All-Star Break. Their first game back came on Friday against the Denver Nuggets. Five games under .500 in the difficult Western Conference means the playoffs are a long shot. It also creates no reason to push your young star with even the smallest of injuries.
Rookie of the Year lock Luka Doncic came up with a sore ankle, and the Mavs decided not to risk it. It cost the young star two games as Dallas played a back-to-back on Feb. 22 and 23.
The word on Doncic’s injury is promising.