DALLAS — Luka Doncic was forced to leave the Dallas Mavericks' Christmas Day game early with a calf injury. Shams Charania of ESPN reports that Doncic is expected to miss an “extended period of time” with the injury.

The Dallas Mavericks are bracing for star Luka Doncic to miss an extended period of time after sustaining a calf strain, sources tell me and @espn_macmahon. Doncic left the arena on crutches today in Dallas. He is expected to undergo an MRI on Thursday,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

After the game, Mavs head coach Jason Kidd said he was hopeful that Doncic's injury was not serious. However, the latest update leaves room for concern. Charania's update does not provide a specific timeline, though. Doncic is reportedly expected to have an MRI on Thursday, which should provide more clarity on a potential return.

While on the floor in 2024-25, Doncic has played at a high level. However, injuries have unfortunately limited the Mavs star. The Mavericks still hold a strong 19-11 record, though. Dallas should be able to remain competitive even without their star, as they hold a 6-2 record in games that Doncic has not played in.

Kyrie Irving reacts to Luka Doncic's injury

Kyrie Irving addressed Doncic's injury concern while speaking to reporters after the game on Wednesday.

“Pray for Luka just to have a speedy recovery,” Irving said. “However long the timetable is, we're going to have to adjust… Hopefully he just takes his time and he comes back when he's ready. It's just a crazy play on a holiday like this, man. We just gotta be mature about it… Although we are 6-2 (without Luka Doncic), that number doesn't really matter to me. I'd rather be going to war, to battle with a healthy team… It's the nature of the business. Just gotta adjust and be ready.”

The Mavericks will travel to Phoenix to play the Suns in their next game on Friday night.