How quickly the tide of an NBA playoff series can turn. After beating the Utah Jazz in Game 2, the Dallas Mavericks could soon welcome their franchise player to basketball's brightest stage.

There's “growing optimism” in Dallas that Luka Doncic will return for either Game 3 or Game 4 of his team's tied first-round series against Utah, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and STADIUM.

Doncic hasn't played since suffering a calf strain on April 10th.

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Dallas was a decided underdog against Utah without him, but will enter Thursday's Game 3 in Salt Lake City with some palpable momentum after roaring back for a series-evening victory on Monday night.

Jalen Brunson led the Mavericks' Game 2 comeback, scoring a career-high 41 points while carving up the Jazz's perimeter defense. Maxi Kleber benefited most from the ability of Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie to consistently crease the paint, shooting 8-of-11 from beyond the arc on a steady diet of open jumpers.

Utah's defense at the point of attack needs to be much better going forward whether or not Doncic is on the floor. But with one of the most unguardable players in basketball on the verge of returning, there may be only so much the Jazz can do to limit the Mavericks offensively for this series' remainder.

Game 3 will tip off on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. (PST).