Luka Doncic missed Sunday's showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and unsurprisingly, the Dallas Mavericks lost.

That makes it four losses out of four games for the Mavs in matches when Doncic is absent, further highlighting their lack of depth behind the Slovenian star. Doncic was given a rest on the second game of a back-to-back as he continues to nurse a bothersome ankle injury.

While the Mavs fought well against the Thunder, with Christian Wood, Spencer Dinwiddie and Tim Hardaway Jr. carrying the scoring load, their efforts were not enough to counter Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's 33-point game and an overall balanced scoring from Oklahoma City.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Mavericks News
Cooper Flagg participates in the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Wintrust Arena.
Mavericks rumors: Dallas’ immediate Chris Paul plans after drafting Cooper FlaggZachary Weinberger ·
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Duke will extend NBA Draft record with Cooper Flagg going No. 1Russell Steinberg ·
Cooper Flagg talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Mavericks set to join Bulls, Lakers, Blazers in NBA Draft historyColin Loughran ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving sits on the bench against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first half.
Kyrie Irving sends message to ‘MFFL’ ahead of 2025 NBA DraftDavid Yapkowitz ·
Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving (11) looks on during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks rumors: What Marc Stein is hearing about Kyrie Irving’s $44 million contract decisionRichard Pereira ·
Dallas Mavericks center Dwight Powell (7) warms up before the game against the Brooklyn Nets at the American Airlines Center.
Mavericks’ Dwight Powell makes final decision on 2025-26 contract optionJoey Mistretta ·

Of course the good news for the Mavs is Luka Doncic isn't expected to sit out for long and should be able to play when they return to action on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

As mentioned, though, the members of the Mavs' supporting cast have done little to provide hope that they can compete when Doncic is out or sitting on the bench. That is certainly a big problem Dallas will have to address before the trade deadline if they want to compete for the title this 2022-23 season.

The Mavs have been linked with a number of trade rumors as of late, most recently to Detroit Pistons vet Bojan Bogdanovic, but as things currently stand, nothing is clear when it comes to the team's roster plans heading to the deadline. Here's to hoping the team gets Doncic the help he needs to lessen the workload on his shoulders.