Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic is dealing with a thoracic contusion. Doncic has continued to play through injuries for most of the postseason. So is he playing in Game 3 of the NBA Finals?
Doncic was initially listed as probable for Game 2 before being downgraded to questionable. Luka ended up playing in the game and recorded a 32-point triple-double. Dallas lost 105-98, however.
The Mavericks enter Game 3 trailing the Boston Celtics 0-2 in the series. Dallas will need Doncic on the floor in order to earn a crucial Game 3 win. It should be noted that Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis is also dealing with an injury. Doncic and Porzingis' final statuses for Wednesday's contest will be important towards deciding the final outcome of the game.
The Celtics are still in a favorable position with a 2-0 series lead. Game 3 will completely change the dynamic of the series one way or another. If the Mavs win, they will find themselves right back in the series. If the Celtics win, though, Boston will be in complete control of the 2024 NBA Finals.
So Mavericks fans are surely asking the following question: Is Luka Doncic playing in Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday night?
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Luka Doncic's injury status for Game 3 vs. Celtics
Doncic is currently listed as probable for Game 3, per the NBA injury report. It seems likely that he will play, but the Mavs will reveal a final update before tip-off.
The pressure of playing in his first NBA Finals has not been an issue for Doncic. The Mavericks star is averaging 31 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per outing in two games so far. Unfortunately for the Mavs, though, Dallas has dropped both games.
Doncic needs more help from the roster. Kyrie Irving has struggled while others have yet to find their footing in the NBA Finals. If Irving plays well in Game 3, Dallas will have a great opportunity to win. Dallas tends to fare well when both Luka and Kyrie are on top of their games.
Perhaps leaving Boston and returning home to Dallas will help Irving get back on track. He is the most experienced NBA Finals player on the team so one has to imagine he is one good game away from turning things around.
In the end, the Mavericks cannot afford to lose Game 3. Sure, the series would not technically be over. However, no team has managed an 0-3 comeback in the NBA Finals. It's an extremely difficult task to accomplish. Even coming back from down 0-2 is no easy feat, but it is much more realistic than the alternative.
The Mavericks will need Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to play well. Additionally, quality performances from PJ Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, Derrick Jones Jr., and Maxi Kleber will help matters without question. Dallas has built a competitive roster and they need a complete team effort against this talented Celtics squad.
As for the question of if Luka Doncic is playing tonight vs. the Celtics, the answer is probably.
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